ESTERHAZY BAPTIST CHURCH

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

• Pastor Robert is on holidays August 15 & 22, therefore there will be no messages added to the website or dial-a sermon on those Sundays.

 

How to overcome the B-L-U-E-S

August 8, 2021.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

 

Call to worship: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.  Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4–7 (CSB).

Hymn: #461 He leadeth me

Verse 1 – He leadeth me O blessed thought O words with heavenly comfort fraught Whate’er I do where’er I be Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me

Chorus – He leadeth me He leadeth me By His own hand He leadeth me His faithful follower I would be For by His hand He leadeth me

Verse 2 – Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom By water’s calm o’er troubled sea Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me

Verse 3 – Lord I would clasp Thy hand in mine Nor ever murmur nor repine Content whatever lot I see Since ’tis my God that leadeth me

Verse 4 – And when my task on earth is done When by Thy grace the victory’s won E’en death’s cold waves I would not flee Since Thou through Jordan leadeth me

CCLI Song # 6380616 Dave Clark | Joseph Henry Gilmore © Words: Public Domain Music: 2012 Consuming Praise Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     Today’s message is entitled, “How to overcome the BLUES.”  It is likely that all over us can identify with the blues, with feeling down when you don’t quite know why you may feel that way.  I encourage you to not ignore “the blues” but to treat them like a warning light, like the “check engine” light that comes on in today’s cars.  A check engine light doesn’t tell you what’s wrong, but it alerts you to a potential issue that you should look into.  Christian, when you begin to experience the blues, check in with the Lord to see what’s up – ask him in prayer.  Evaluate three areas, your health, your heart and your head.

Your health greatly influences how you are feeling; ask yourself, is something not right?  Am I getting enough rest, food and exercise?  If something seems off with your health do not ignore it, get your Doctors and health care providers involved.

Your heart, as in your spiritual heart.  When you go to the Lord in prayer examine your spiritual state.  Is everything okay between you and the Lord?  Sin creates a division between yourself and God.  Sin not only disrupts your relationship with the Lord, sin within your heart also messes up your other relationships.  Discern if there is some sin you need to address and deal with it, bringing it before the Lord in confession.  Ask for his forgiveness then seek his wisdom on how to proceed to avoid falling back into that sin: For example: Is there need of confession to those impacted? Should there be restitution for my actions?  Do I need to seek out accountability partners to help me avoid this sin again? 

     If you see that your health and relationship with the Lord are good, yet you are feeling blue, (the warning light is still on) then check:

Your head, as in your thought process.  Ask yourself “What’s going on in my head?  What am I spending my thought energy on?”  Also ask yourself “What’s going into my head?  What am I allowing into my mind?”  Who are you listening to, reading, or watching?  Are these thoughts ultimately impacting my emotions?

     The Bible, God’s Word to us, understands our struggle and has answers to help us.  Listen to Psalm 42:5: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.” Psalm 42:5 (The Message).

Christian, God can help you overcome the B-L-U-E-S if you will:

1.  B-elieve the Positive

     Don’t make the mistake of allowing your thoughts to be consumed with all that’s wrong with the world, they see the glass as always half empty and for no good reason!  Some people seem to look for, listen to, and concentrate on all the bad things that are happening around them.  If we listen to them, we might conclude that there is no point trying to live a life which pleases God because it won’t do any good!  Is that really what you believe?

     Instead, notice the positives, looking for the good in others and in your circumstances.  Follow the Apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8 to control your thought life, both what goes into your mind and what you spend your time thinking about:  “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 (The Message).

2.  L-ook for the Purpose

     Do you believe our God knows what he is doing in this world?  He has a purpose in all he allows for his people. We win over discouragement by remembering this, especially when we struggle to currently see God’s plan.  The Apostle Peter reminds us: “The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good.” 1 Peter 5:10 (The Message).

     Sometimes the purpose of what we are going through as Christians is in order to strengthen and increase their faith. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us all: “⁴ In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! ⁵ So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. ⁶ It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. ⁷ God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, ⁸ the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? ⁹ We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? ¹⁰ While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. ¹¹ At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” Hebrews 12:4–11 (The Message).

3.    U-tilize the Promises

     Part of our struggle with the BLUES may be caused by our ignorance of God’s word and a subsequent failure to act on God’s promises to us!  Daily read God’s Word and let it speak to your situation, then claim and act on the promises of God.  Remember what Romans 15:4 assures us: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV).

4.    E-ncourage Other People

     It may be the opposite of how you feel, but one of the most effective ways of lifting personal discouragement is through encouraging someone else!  We can so focus on our own problems that we miss chances to help those around us in need.  Be prepared, God will give you opportunities to encourage others through what He has taught you!       The message Translation says: “³ All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! ⁴ He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (The Message).  Helping others with their problems often enables us to see our situation in a different light.

     This is what we read in the July 2021 Discipleship Matters – “A Purpose to Our Pain.  Once, I visited a Christian friend who was determined to divorce her husband. God had delivered him from alcohol abuse, but she decided she wanted nothing more to do with him. I shared how my husband, Steve, and I had struggled in our marriage. I shared how I felt when Steve spoke harshly to me. I told her that I, too, had felt like running away on more than one occasion.  “You understand exactly how I feel,” she marveled.

     As we talked, I wondered, would I be able to help this friend if I hadn’t been through hard times with Steve? I encouraged her not to give up. I described how God had been faithful to answer my prayers. At that moment, the hurts I had experienced in our marriage seemed worth it, because they opened the door to empathize with someone else. Just as Paul wrote, I realized “we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).”

     Believe the positive, Look for the purpose, Utilize the promises, Encourage other people and finally:

5.  S-ing God’s Praises

“² Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.” Psalm 66:2 (NLT).

     Most of us could praise the Lord a lot more than we do, and this is important for at least two reasons.  1^st because He is worthy of our praise, and 2^nd because praising God benefits us; bringing us hope as we review who He is and what He has done.  Praise helps lift us out of our despair.  Join with the psalmist is proclaiming: “¹⁴ I will never give up hope or stop praising you. ¹⁵ All day long I will tell the wonderful things you do to save your people.” Psalm 71:14–15a (CEV).

Hymn: #435 “What a friend we have in Jesus”

Verse 1 – What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer O what peace we often forfeit O what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer

Verse 2 – Have we trials and temptations Is there trouble anywhere We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer

Verse 3 – Are we weak and heavy laden Cumbered with a load of care Precious Savior still our refuge Take it to the Lord in prayer Do thy friends despise forsake thee Take it to the Lord in prayer In His arms He’ll take and shield thee Thou wilt find a solace there

CCLI Song # 27714 Charles Crozat Converse | Joseph Medlicott Scriven © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: “Go in peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.  Amen.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

     When we speak of kindness, what do we mean? It’s not getting everything we want, because that can be the worst thing.  When I chose the title for this sermon, “Sowing kindness” I was reminded of a different word with the same pronunciation: “sewing”.  It’s likely that some of us have memories of torn clothing being mended by our mothers or that last minute costume being sewn together, as well as other countless acts of kindness.  However, kindness isn’t just for mothers.  The Bible says, “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” Proverbs 11:17 (NIV).

     Joseph Joubert says: “Kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” [1]  This is exactly how God loves us!  In Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says: “⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43–45 (NIV).  Luke’s version of this sermon of Jesus says: “³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35 (NIV).   Romans 2:4 reminds us of the purpose of God’s kindness to us: “⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 (NIV).

     As Christians, we are to live lives of kindness.  Colossians 3:12 in the NIV says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” The Living Bible says: “…because of God’s deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others.” (LB)  Kindness is love in action.  It’s something that you do.  Notice the word “practice.”  Circle that.  It’s practical help.

     How can we become more deliberate in our kindness?  Here are five words to suggest how you can become a kinder person.  One, be sensitive.  These are elements of kindness.  Two, be supportive.  Three, be sympathetic.  Four, be straightforward.  Five, be spontaneous.

1.  Be sensitive. 

     In other words, tune in.  Become aware of the needs around you.  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (NIV84).  He says be aware.  If you care you’ll be aware. 

     The number one barrier to kindness is busyness.  When I get too busy I don’t have time to be kind.  I’m the least kind to my wife, to other people when I have my agenda, my goals, my desires, I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do, and I don’t have time to be kind.  If I were to ask you what are the three greatest needs of the people closest to you this last week would you be able to answer?  Kindness starts with being aware and sensitive.  If you care, you’ll be aware. 

2.  Be supportive. 

     Kindness is shown through being supportive in your speech; this is demonstrated through the way you talk to people.  “Kind words bring life but cruel words crush your spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 (GN). 

     Do you remember how ruthless kids were on the playground when you went to school?  Do you remember that?  They’d exploit every weakness and failure.  You’d be hurt and go home and be reminded of the rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words or names will never hurt me.”  However, that’s just not true.  A broken bone heals faster than a broken spirit.  Your words have a great power to heal or to hurt. 

     How much do you support people with your words?  Are you and encourager or are you a discourager?  Do you lift people up or do you put them down?  Do you give them strokes or pokes?  When you belittle people, you are being little.  Be sensitive, be supportive.

3.  Be sympathetic.

     Kind people share in the emotions of others.  Romans 12:15 “When others are happy be happy with them.  If they’re sad, share their sorrows.” (LB).

     Remember what Jesus did at the death of Lazarus when he meet Martha and Mary?  “He wept.”  Some people struggle with funerals, they say, “I feel so awkward when I go to a funeral.  I don’t know what to say.”  The best way to handle a funeral is just weep with people.  You don’t have to say anything.  Just being there is being kind.  The best thing you can do when somebody is grieving is cry with them.  Weep with those who weep.  That’s what it means to be kind.  And rejoice with those who rejoice.  Be sensitive, be support, be sympathetic.

4.  Be straightforward.

     Sometimes kindness means being candid and frank.  Leveling with people where they’re making a mistake.  Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy.” (LB).  Psalm 145:5 “A good man may rebuke me in kindness.” (GN).  That is the essence of the slogan: “Real friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”  A real friend does not say, “It’s none of my business.”  If you’re a friend it is your business.  Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is level with the person and tell me exactly what they are doing wrong. 

     When you go to a doctor do you want them to lie to you or do you want them to be straightforward?  Do you want them to say, “You’ve got to have surgery or you’re going to die.”  Or do you want them to say, “It’s no big deal.  You might get well on your own.  Relax.  Think positive.” 

     Care enough to confront.  Care enough to confront that child.  That mate.  That friend.  That employee.  “How do you know when to confront and when to comfort?”  You have to evaluate each situation and figure out which is going to bring the most healing.  Sometimes comfort will.  Sometimes confrontation will. 

     If you’re going to be a kind person, you need to be sensitive and you need to be supportive and you need to be sympathetic and you need to be straightforward.

5.  Be spontaneous.

     In other words, don’t wait to do a kind act.  When you’ve got time to do it, do it.  Do it now.  Look at this verse Galatians 6:10 “As we have the opportunity let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (NIV84).  Circle the phrase “As we have the opportunity.”  When should you be kind?  Whenever you see a need. 

     Have you ever had somebody do something nice for you and you think, “I need to write that person a thank you note.”  But you don’t do it right away and then it’s been so long since they did it that you’re embarrassed to write it so you forget it.  The lesson to learn is that opportunities to show kindness do not last.  You must do it now as you have the opportunity.  They pass quickly.  As the saying goes: Give roses while people can smell them!

     However, the number one enemy of kindness is busyness.  We just get so busy we don’t have time for anything but our own personal agenda.  I hear people say all the time, “I’m too busy to serve.  I’m too busy to have a ministry.”  Then you’re too busy.  You’re out of God’s will.  You’re out of balance.  Life involves blessing yourself, blessing others. 

     Who can you be kind to this week?  You look around you; there are people that are discouraged and hurting.  How about at home?  Is it possible that this week you could possibly just possibly be a little bit kinder to your wife, or to your husband or to your children?  And do an act of kindness?  Go out and play catch with them, spend some time with them. 

     How about at work?  Is there someone new you could show kindness by standing with them, helping them through the next three or four months.  How about that person who is unkind to you at work?  Some people are unkind to others simply because they’ve never experienced kindness themselves. 

     How about at school?  Do you think it’s possible you could be kind to that person that nobody else likes?  Is it just possible in the name of Jesus Christ you could be kind to that person this week.  Then watch what happens.  Kindness transforms people. 

     How about that friend who doesn’t know Jesus Christ?  The kindest thing you can do for somebody is share the Lord with them.  Make a friend for life.  Tell them that God loves them.  That’s the kindest thing you can do.  You realize that you are the only Bible that some people will ever read?  You say, “I have a Living Bible.”  You are a living Bible for many, many people. 

     Why are we talking about this, today?  Because the Christian life is to be a life of kindness.  We can make following God so complicated, but it isn’t.  The Prophet Micah in 6:8 tells us how to live in a way which pleases God: “⁸ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (NRSV).  It is no surprise then that kindness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit of God: “²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV).

     Colossians 3:12 calls for kindness to be as natural to a Christian as wearing clothing is: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  It is not surprising then as the early Christians did this the Romans in the Roman Empire used to confuse two Greek words.  Cristos which mean Christ, Christians, and the word crestos which means kind.  They were always confusing Christians and kindness.  I can’t think of a better confusion.  I can’t think of two words that ought to be synonymous.  To be a Christian and to be a kind person. 

     This week I found a hymn on thankfulness, called: “Forgive us Lord, for shallow thankfulness.”  I will read it as a poem:

Forgive us Lord for shallow thankfulness,

for dull content with warmth and sheltered care. 

For songs of praise for food and harvest press,

while of Your richer gifts we’re unaware. 

Teach us to thank You Lord, for love and grace,

for life and vision for a purpose clear,

for Christ your Son and for each human face,

that shows Your message ever new and near.

Forgive us Lord for selfish thanks and praise,

for words that speak at variance with deeds. 

Forgive our thanks for waling pleasant ways,

unmindful of a broken brother’s needs. 

Teach us O Lord true thankfulness divine

that gives as Christ gave, never counting cost,

that knows no barrier of yours and mine,

assured that only what’s withheld is lost.

Forgive us Lord for feast that knows not fast,

for joy in things that meanwhile starve the soul. 

For walls and wars that hide Your mercies vast

and blur our vision of the Kingdom goal. 

Open our eyes to see Your love’s intent,

to know with minds and hearts its depth and height. 

May thankfulness be days in service spend,

reflection of Christ’s life and love and light

CCLI Song # 7072507 William Watkins Reid Sr. © 1965. Renewed 1993 The Hymn Society (Admin. by Hope Publishing Company) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     Here are two things to do this week.  First, pray about finding a place to serve.  Find a place where you can give as an act of kindness.  It may be in our community or through our church as we hope to become more active this fall.

     Second, do seven secret acts of kindness to those around you and don’t give hints, (i.e.,” Honey, did you notice the flowers?  Did you notice the bathroom was clean?  Did you notice the car was washed?”).  Do these acts of kindness secretly, getting your joy from the Lord, for it is the Lord you are imitating as you are kind!

Hymn: #451 “O Master, let me walk with Thee” (vv. 1,2,4)

Benediction: ^15a Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. ^16a Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:15a, 16a, 17 (NLT)

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

Call to Worship: “² Serve the Lord cheerfully. Come into his presence with a joyful song. ³ Realize that the Lord alone is God. He made us, and we are his. We are his people and the sheep in his care. ⁴ Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with a song of praise. Give thanks to him; praise his name.” Psalm 100:2–4 (GW).

Hymn: #462  “Savior like a shepherd lead us” (Click on link for music: https://youtu.be/DrxxmObv2-s)

Saviour like a shepherd lead us, Much we need thy tender care; In thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use thy folds prepare: Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us thine we are, Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us thine we are.

We are thine do thou befriend us, Be the guardian of our way; Keep thy flock from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear O hear us when we pray, Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear O hear us when we pray.

Early let us seek thy favour; Early let us do thy will; Blessed Lord and only Saviour, With thy love our beings fill: Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still, Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.

CCLI Song # 3315718 Dorothy Ann Thrupp Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     Today we are continuing in John 10, looking at another of Jesus’ “I am” statements, today: “I am the good shepherd.”  Jesus’ teaching in chapter 10 comes out the events of chapter 9.  In chapter 9 Jesus healing of the man blind from birth has brought the question of Jesus’ identity to the fore-front.  Who is he? The Pharisees, who have now come to strongly oppose Jesus (with stoning: Jn. 8:59 & 10:31), have declared Jesus a sinner and anyone who claims Jesus is the Messiah will be put out of the synagogue (Jn. 9:22; cf. Jn. 12:42; 16:2). Who is Jesus that he can do such miracles? Is he sent by God?

     In John 10:1-21 Jesus uses the imagery of the shepherd and his sheep to describe his mission.  In the Bible God and his chosen leaders are seen as shepherd of the people.  The true shepherd of the sheep can be seen by the way the sheep respond to him and his care for the sheep.

The Good Shepherd – John 10:11-21.

     In John 10:11-21 we hear Jesus twice say “I am the good shepherd” and then describe what that means and looks like.  Let’s take a closer look:

A.  Response when the Sheep are in danger –vv. 11-13.

1 – Jesus – “I am the Good Shepherd” (v. 11)

     What you think of when you hear the phrase “the good shepherd”?  I think of Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads, he restores, he guides, he comforts and he prepares to provide for me.

     Jesus defines what he means by ‘good shepherd’ and it includes and exceeds what we think of from Psalm 23.  He says: “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  The good of the sheep come first.  Jesus contrasts his actions with those who claim they are shepherds by their actions prove they are not.

John 10:12-13 “¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (NIV).

2 – The Hired Hand (vv. 12-13).

     These verses describe the tragic results of a shepherd abandoning the sheep just as he is most needed, when attacked by a predator.  Why does the hired hand run?  They have no connection with or concern for the sheep. “I need to do what’s best for me!” 

     This was God’s criticism of Israel’s leaders in Ezekiel 34 where the Lord used the image of shepherds and sheep to describe the situation.  Here’s verses 1-5 from the Message Translation:   “¹ God’s Message came to me: ² “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, ‘God, the Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren’t shepherds supposed to feed sheep? ³ You drink the milk, you make clothes from the wool, you roast the lambs, but you don’t feed the sheep. ⁴ You don’t build up the weak ones, don’t heal the sick, don’t doctor the injured, don’t go after the strays, don’t look for the lost. You bully and badger them. ⁵ And now they’re scattered every which way because there was no shepherd—scattered and easy pickings for wolves and coyotes.” Ezekiel 34:1–5 (The Message).  Israel’s leaders were not looking after the people; they were using them and looking after themselves.  In this chapter the Lord declares that he will shepherd his people (vv. 10-12) and will send his servant David (the Messiah) to be their shepherd (vv. 23-24).

B.  The Good Shepherd’s Relationships –vv. 14-18

1 – With his sheep.

     We are reminded of the shepherd Jesus spoke of in verses 3 & 4, he says in verse 14: I know my sheep (v 3c) – know they by name, personally. Also they know me (3b, 4b); this is demonstrated by their coming when I call and their obedience to my direction.

     In verse 16 Jesus says he has other sheep that are not of this pen, who will listen to his voice – he is referring to the Gentiles.  Together they will become one flock with one shepherd – Jesus. He is describing the church, made up of Jews and Gentiles together!

2 – With the Father.

     Jesus’ intimate relationship with his sheep grows out of the intimate close relationship that exists between the Father and the Son.  And the love of God the Father for the people of this world (John 3:16-17) is seen in Jesus’ willingness to lay down his life for the sheep (us) – which Jesus states a second time (v. 15b).

     Jesus’ words in verses 17-18 deserve careful reflection: “¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”” John 10:17–18 (NIV).

     Notice that when Jesus speaks of laying down his life (his death) he immediately speaks of his ability to take it up again.  Although Jesus’ life has been repeatedly threatened, the timing remains with him!  He has the authority of his Father to decide when to lay it down and when to take it up again (resurrection).  What does verse 17 mean regarding the Father’s love for Jesus?  Jesus is saying that his love for the sheep deeply touches The Father, who also deeply loves the people of this world (Jn. 3:16-17) and thus sent the Son.

     Frederick Brunner in his commentary on John paraphrases the passage: “This is why the Father loves me so much: because I not only die for the world but then I will come right back again through my Resurrection and Ascension to live over the world and within my Church as well—I plan to keep on reaching out to this special world with these special people.” Jesus’ continuing love for the world deeply pleases the God who “so loved” the world. Hence Jesus’ Cross and Resurrection mean as much to the Father as they do to us[1]

C.  Response of the crowds to Jesus –vv. 19-21.

     Once again we are remained that each one must decide about who Jesus is for themselves!

1 – He’s demon possessed.  Some could not see past the fact that Jesus was breaking the religious laws and seemed to be human – rather than trying to understand what was behind his signs and miracles.

2 – Nonsense, demons don’t heal the blind.  Others call out and say: listen to Jesus’ words and look at what he did – they are not coming from a source of evil!  “Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” (Jn. 21:10b).  These words seem to link this portion of chapter 10 back into chapter 9 where the blind man was healed!

     How about you?  Who is Jesus to you?  Is he someone dangerous to avoid?  Or is he your shepherd?  If he is your shepherd are you responding to his voice?  Are you going with him, being found where he is?

     When Jesus was criticized for hanging around with sinners he told three parables about finding lost things, include the joy of recovering a lost sheep (Lk. 15:1-7).  We, if we have responded to Jesus’ invitation to follow him as our sin forgiver and life leader, now have the privilege of helping the Good Shepherd bring back his lost sheep. 

     As Easter approaches, we are reminded that Jesus was fully prepared for the cross and the empty tomb – out of love for humanity.  Ask the Lord to use you to share his love with someone he is seeking out this week!

Hymn: #508 “I will sing the wondrous story” (vv. 1-3) (Click on link for music: https://youtu.be/IH7XVVue0dU)

I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ Who died for me, How He left His home in glory for the cross of Calvary.

Chorus – Yes I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ Who died for me; Sing it with the saints in glory Gathered by the crystal sea.

I was lost but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray, threw His loving arms around me, Drew me back into His way.

I was bruised but Jesus healed me, Faint was I from many a fall, Sight was gone and fears possessed me, But He freed me from them all.

Days of darkness still come o’er me, Sorrow’s path I often tread; but His presence still is with me, By His guiding hand I’m led.

CCLI Song # 7154247  Francis Harold Rawley | Ryan Dahl  © Words: Public Domain  Music: 2020 PraiseCharts Publishing (Admin. by PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc.)  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: “²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20–21 (CSB).

To listen to this message visit:  Podbean or call our Dial-a-sermon number for the weekly sermon: 1-306-985-9001 (this is a Regina number and long distance charges may apply).

John 10:7, 9.  “Who is Jesus? He is the only way to God’s abundant life.”

March 14, 2021.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!” Psalm 100:2-4 (RSV)

Hymn: #353 “A shelter in the time of storm” (click on link for music – https://youtu.be/pCqH7w29RAw)

Verse 1 – The Lord’s our Rock in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, a Shelter in the time of storm.

Chorus – O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land; O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.

Verse 2 – A Shade by day Defense by night, A Shelter in the time of storm; No fears alarm no foes affright, a Shelter in the time of storm.

Verse 3 – The raging storms may round us beat, A Shelter in the time of storm; We’ll never leave our safe retreat, a Shelter in the time of storm.

Verse 4 – O Rock divine O Refuge dear, A Shelter in the time of storm; Be Thou our Helper ever near, a Shelter in the time of storm.

CCLI Song # 3323717  Vernon J. Charlesworth  Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     We are looking at the “I am” statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John to answer the question, who is Jesus? As you read through the Gospel of John it becomes apparent that John is taking us on a journey to discover the answer to that question, a journey he as a disciple of Jesus went on during his 3 ½ years with Jesus.  In case there was any doubt, John gives us his answer in his 2^nd last chapter, John 20, the chapter describing the resurrected Jesus first appearing to his disciples.  After Thomas, who missed seeing Jesus the week before, sees the risen Jesus we read: John 20:28–31. “Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (NIV) Who is Jesus?  “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

     Today we are in John 10, looking at Jesus’ statement: “I am the gate” found in verse 7 and repeated in verse 9.  Before we get to this statement, let’s do some review and then look at the context of chapter 10.

     We have seen that Jesus is the source of true life – in John 6:35 he says, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (NIV)

     Next we saw that Jesus is the source of true light – in John 8:12 he says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)  The Pharisees took offense with Jesus’ claims and chapter 8 ends with the words: “At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” John 8:59 (NIV). 

     Chapter 9 is about Jesus healing a man who had walked in darkness his whole life – he had been born blind.  But rather than this being seen as an occasion to praise God, Jesus is condemned because he made mud and put in on the man’s eyes – breaking the Sabbath law of not working!  The Pharisees conclude Jesus is a sinner (9:24). 

     The man who was healed from blindness provides “push back” as a witness to the event and the voice of common sense! “¹⁵ Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”” John 9:15 (NIV). “²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”” John 9:25 (NIV). “³⁰ The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. ³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. ³² Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”” John 9:30–33 (NIV).  The Pharisees respond by throwing the healed man out of the synagogue (9:23, 34).

     Upon hearing this, Jesus found the man and led him to understand that he is the Messiah. “³⁸ Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.” John 9:38 (NIV).

  Jesus’ statement on spiritual blindness leads us into chapter 10:  “^9:39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” ⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” ⁴¹ Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. ^10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. ³ The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.” John 9:39–10:6 (NIV84).

     NT Wright in his commentary “John for everyone” offers his insight on the connection between chapters 9 & 10.  First he reminds us that the chapter divisions were added later (to make it easy to find a specific text). Then he says: The question that dominated chapter 9 was: is Jesus from God or not? Is he a prophet or not? Is he the Messiah or not, the ‘son of man’ whom God will set as judge over the world? Now here, in what we call chapter 10, we have a parable about shepherds and sheep. What’s the connection?

     The answer is that in the Bible the picture of the shepherd with his sheep is frequently used to refer to the king and his people. In the modern world we don’t think of rulers and leaders in quite that way… But in the Bible the ideal king is pictured as a shepherd (Ezekiel 34), perhaps modelled on the shepherd-boy David, who became the king after God’s own heart. In a world where they knew about the intimate contact and trust between shepherd and sheep, this was their preferred way of talking about kingship.

     This is the image that Jesus chooses to explain his own claim to be the true king of Israel. …we should notice that in these first five verses he doesn’t mention himself directly. He is talking, as it were in the abstract, about the difference between true shepherds and false ones.  …Jesus is posing the question: how will you tell God’s true, appointed king when he comes?

     The answer is that you can tell the true king the same way you can tell the true shepherd. Anybody can turn up in Jerusalem and give himself airs as a leader. But only the one who comes by the way God has appointed has the right to do so. Anyone can call followers. But the sign of the real king is the response that comes from the heart, when people hear his voice and, in love and trust, follow him.

     The parable of these first five verses, it seems, is designed to say: this is what I’m doing; this is what gives substance to my claim to be sent by God as Israel’s true king. The fact that people are hearing me and following me—notably the man born blind—is the sign that God has sent me.  But, faced with blank stares from his audience, Jesus continues with further explanations.^[1]

     In verses 7-10 Jesus describes another role he, as Israel’s true shepherd will undertake because he cares for the sheep:  “⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:7–10 (NIV84).

     The setting Jesus is describing is something his listeners would be very familiar with, a sheep pen – a walled off stone enclosure where a shepherd would lead his sheep to at night to protect them from harm.  The only entrance into the pen is through the gate, and sometimes the shepherd was literally the gate into the pen.  The closeness of the shepherd would bring comfort both to the herd, and to the shepherd who was concerned about the well-being of the flock. 

     The idea of the people of God being described as his sheep is a theme that runs through the Old Testament. For example Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”  Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (NIV)  With this back ground in mind, Jesus’ words become even more significant.

What is Jesus saying to us as he describes himself as the gate?

HE IS THE SOURCE OF:

1. Safety – v. 9a. Jesus is promising eternal safety, salvation. “I” is emphatic – “I alone am the door.” He alone is the way to enter into God’s community – “^9a I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”  There is no other way to God.
2. Peace – v. 9b. “They will come in and go out” – This is a Hebrew idiom used to describe a life that is safe and secure.  “When a man can go in and out without fear, it means that his country is at peace, that the forces of law and order are supreme, and that he enjoys perfect security.” ^[2]
3. Life in its Fullness – v. 10c. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  “Have it to the full” means: A surplus, overflowing, or super abundant.  Paul describes this life in Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (NKJV)

     As we have seen, Jesus says:  “I am the bread of life.”  I am the source of life – you must take Jesus seriously, he must become part of you, your very life. 

     Jesus is the source of true light, he says:  “I am the light of the word.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  (John 8:12).  Light represents God and being in God’s presence.  Darkness represents separation from God, sin and all its consequences.  Following Jesus means never walking in spiritual darkness again, but having the light of God within, having the Holy Spirit of God dwelling with you.

     Today we have seen that Jesus is the source of true salvation. He says: I am the gate.  Jesus is the only one through whom we can enter into God’s presence of safety, peace and fullness of life. Jesus is the only way to forgiveness and the security of God’s eternal presence and protection.  Do you recognize his voice?  Are you following him or doing your own thing?

     Where do you stand with Jesus?  This is the most important question you will be asked?  Is he your life?  Is he your light?  Is he your door to God the Father?  There is no other way.  Decide to follow Jesus and do so with all the strength he provides.

Hymn:  #376 “I have decided to follow Jesus (click on link for music – https://youtu.be/5OWWqS1jnOw)

Verse 1 – I have decided to follow Jesus (3x), No turning back no turning back.

Verse 2 – The world behind me the cross before me (3x), No turning back no turning back.

Verse 3 – Though none go with me I still will follow (3x), No turning back no turning back.

Verse 4 – Will you decide now to follow Jesus (3x), No turning back no turning back.

CCLI Song # 2151540  Jeffrey Rickard | Unknown  © Words: Public Domain  Music: 1994 Selah Publishing Company, Inc.  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction:  ^“5 May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Jesus was the first to conquer death, and he is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. He lets us rule as kings and serve God his Father as priests. To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. ” (Revelation 1:5-6 CEV).

^[1] Wright, T. (2004). John for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1-10 (pp. 148–150). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

^[2] Barclay, William, lecturer in the University of Glasgow (Hrsg.): The Gospel of John : Volume 2. Philadelphia : The Westminster Press, 2000, c1975 (The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. Ed), S. 59

There will not be a written or recorded message for this Sunday. 

You may also visit:  https://esterhazybaptistchurch.podbean.com/ to listen to a recording of the message.

God’s love overcomes the darkness of our sin. 2 Samuel 7.8-13; Isaiah 11.1-2.

Dec. 20, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: ⁶ Turn to the Lord before it’s too late. Call out to him while he’s still ready to help you. ⁷ Let the one who is evil stop doing evil things. And let him quit thinking evil thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord. The Lord will show him his tender love. Let him turn to our God. He is always ready to forgive. Isaiah 55:6–7 (NIrV)

Hymn: #128 “It came upon a midnight clear” (Click on link for music: https://youtu.be/tJbNRtPVjZI)

Verse 1 – It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King!”  The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

Verse 2 – Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long.  Beneath the angel strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong.  And man at war with man hears not the love song which they bring. O hush the noise ye men of strife and hear the angels sing.

Verse 3 – And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow, Look now!  For glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing.

CCLI Song # 31078 Edmund Hamilton Sears | Richard Storrs Willis © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

      The Apostle Paul began his letter to the Christians in Rome by introducing himself, who he served and the message of good news: Romans 1:1–3 “From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God chose me to be an apostle, and he appointed me to preach the good news that he promised long ago by what his prophets said in the Holy Scriptures. This good news is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! As a human, he was from the family of David.” (CEV).  Paul celebrated the coming of Jesus the Messiah as good news which had been promised long ago in the Scriptures and now is fulfilled. 

      The promise began with Adam and Eve.  God told them he would send a deliverer from the seed of Eve to crush the head of the deceiver.  Later Abraham was promised: “Through your descendant all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:18 GW) God renewed this promise to Abraham’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob.  Through Jacob’s blessing on his son Judea we learn that the promised deliverer will come from the tribe of Judea and be a ruler the nations of the world will obey. 

      Today we see that God’s promise becomes more specific within the tribe of Judea.  The deliverer will be a descendent of David, Israel’s second king. In 2 Samuel 7:8–13 we read: ⁸ “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. ⁹ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. ¹⁰ And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning ¹¹ and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: ¹² When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (NIV)

      God promised to make David’s name great, that from him would be a dynasty and that from among his descendants would be a king who will rule forever.  This is promise seems impossible, however so did the likelihood that someone like David could become king; yet as God reminds David, He made it happen!  ⁸ “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. ^9a I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. 

       David’s journey from the youngest of 8 sons to King was not a quick, easy or pain free journey. It took 20 plus years and for many of those David lived as a wanted man hiding in caves and foreign lands!  We often look at the Biblical characters as finished products – strong, wise, and good – and forget the journey the Lord took them on!  We also tend to forget that God uses difficult challenges in our lives, to, over time; develop a Christ-like character in us.  We must remember that staying faithful to the Lord is the only way that will lead us to true fulfillment!  The Lord won’t abandon us!  As you look back, you will see that difficult times do strengthen your faith as your lean on the Lord!

      The 2 Samuel 7 promise to David’s line became a main source of messianic hope.  After David died and successive kings followed him, some wondered if God’s promise could ever come to pass.  The kings after David were inconstant in their obedience to God’s commands.  The nation of Israel grew divided and weak.  What would come of God’s promise to David?  Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord spoke of certain judgment coming, the tree of David’s dynasty would be cut down. Yet, God had not left them, there was still hope concerning his promise to David.  Isaiah 11:1-2, 10 “¹ Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. ² And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” “¹⁰ In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.” (NLT).

      Isaiah 11 foresaw the collapse of the Davidic monarchy yet encouraged the faithful that God’s promise to David had not been forgotten.  The Davidic stump is not dead, a shoot will grow – the promised one will come!  This is why Jesus’ genealogy is so important; it confirms that the promise has been fulfilled!  The first verse in the first book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew says: “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham” Matthew 1:1 (NIV).

       When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he said to her: “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, ³¹ and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. Luke 1:30b–32 (CEV).  When the Angel Gabriel also told Mary that her elderly relative Elizabeth was six months pregnant, Mary left to visit Elizabeth & her husband Zechariah and spent time in their home. 

      Luke 1:5-25 records the Angel Gabriel’s visit with Zechariah in the Temple. When Zechariah sought proof that his wife would have a son, he was told he would remain unable to speak until God’s plan unfolded.  Luke 1:57-66 tells what happened when their son was born and on the eighth day named John – Zechariah began to speak again!  Listen to Zechariah’s first words after 9 months of reflecting on what God was doing:  Luke 1:67–73. “Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.” (NLT).  God has remembered his covenant with Abraham and David, and he has sent the promised one!

      The Apostle John, writing in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible quotes these words of Jesus:  ¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16 (NIV)

      The good news is that God does keep his promises – He does not forget them – even if to us, they seem forgotten or impossible to fulfill.

      A lesson we from can learn is that if God has a promise, He has a plan!  If God’s got a promise for me, He’s also got a plan to get it done!  My job is not to come up with a plan to fulfill God’s promise it is His promise after all!  My job is to do what he has asked me to do – and looking at Abraham, Jacob & David – that is to obey Him and walk in His ways – even when it is hard and the outcome seems doubtful!  Trust & obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

Hymn: #141 “O little town of Bethlehem” (Click on link for music: https://youtu.be/4uLELfqlntI)

Verse 1 – O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!  Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.  Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Verse 2 – For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love, O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth!  And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth.

Verse 3 – O holy Child of Bethlehem!  Descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in; Be born in us today.  We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel.

CCLI Song # 27879  Lewis Henry Redner | Phillips Brooks  © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction:  ^“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you always to do and say what is good.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 GNB).

You may also visit:  https://esterhazybaptistchurch.podbean.com/ to listen to a recording of the message.

Genesis 49:10. “God works in spite of our messes!”

December 13, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.  For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.” Psalm 22:27–28 (NLT).

Hymn: #131 Angels from the realms of glory – (click on link for music: https://youtu.be/B4CPa_H0GEk)

Angels from the realms of glory, Wing your flight over all the earth; Ye, who sang Creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:  Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds in the fields abiding, Watching over your flocks by night, God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the Infant light:  Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Sages leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great Desire of Nations
Ye have seen His natal star:  Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

     In this year’s advent messages we are remembering that God’s promise to send a deliverer, the Messiah Jesus – had been made long ago in the Scriptures. We have seen that his plan began back at with Adam and Eve. God promised to send deliverer from the seed of a woman to crush the head of Satan the deceiver.

     Later, Abraham was promised that one of his offspring would be a blessing to every nation on earth: “Through your descendant all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:18 (GW).  God’s promise to Abraham was extended to his son Isaac and then Isaac’s second born son Jacob.

Today we turn our attention to Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, whose name God later changed to Israel. Jacob had 12 sons, and their descendants became the 12 tribes of Israel.

     Jacob got his name, “grasper of the heel” when as the second born of twins, he was seen grabbing onto his brother’s heel as Esau was born first (Gen. 25:26). The name Jacob also has the figurative idea of “deceiver” and Jacob lived up to his reputation as a schemer in his early years. Jacob bought the rights of the first-born son for a meal from his brother Esau when he was too hungry to think straight.  But his biggest grab was when he deceived his father and stole the blessing his father thought he was giving to Esau, his eldest son.  The stolen blessing resulted in Esau doing some scheming of his own – he planned to kill his brother after their father had died!  Jacob was sent away to find a wife among his mother’s relatives, but the true reason was to escape his brother’s vengeance – what a mess!

     As Jacob was escaping this mess of his own making, he had a dream in which and God extended the same promise he had made with Abraham & Isaac to him (Gen. 28:13-15) and included a promise to bring Jacob back to this land, ending with the words: “I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15b (NIV) – what grace!  When Jacob returned to Canaan years later, God renewed His covenant and changed Jacob’s name from “He grasps” to Israel “he struggles with God” Gen. 35:9-12.

     Jacob had 12 sons with his 2 wives and 2 of their servants, each acting as a surrogate for their respective mistresses. Jacob struggled to father his 12 sons.  He openly preferred the sons of his beloved wife, which enflamed the jealousy of his 10 other sons.  Jacob fell into years of depression on the news that his favourite son Joseph had been killed by wild animals while on an assignment for Jacob to report on the work of his brothers – what a mess! 

     It is only when news comes that his son Joseph is still alive as a ruler in Egypt does Jacob begin to come alive again. And Joseph is providing for the whole family move to Egypt to escape the famine which is far from over. What grace on God’s part; he remembered his promise and is preserving Jacob’s descendants!

     Genesis 47 records Jacob meeting one of the most powerful men in the world – The Pharaoh of Egypt. Amazingly it is Jacob who blesses the rule, Pharaoh (v. 7), a reminder of the role the Lord had given Abraham and his descendants. Jacob is witnessing God’s grace on his life when he had almost given up because of his countless failures. Now he is becoming what God planned for him to be!

     The 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, followed the life of two men who ended up winning gold medals in the 1924 Paris Olympic for the British team.  Early in the movie we see one of the men, Eric Liddell, compete in a regional race where he is favored.  As the 440-yard race begins, Liddell is bumped and falls to the ground – the crowd groans with disappointment.  But to their amazement, Liddell rises to his feet, leans his head back and in characteristic fashion, strides even harder, and catches his opponents from twenty yards back to win the race.

     This became Liddell’s signature – not the way he began his races, but the way he finished them: head tilted back, mouth wide open, body in full stretch, and feet moving faster than those of any other man in the world! He is a classic example of the saying “It’s not how you begin the race but how you finish it that is important.”^[1]

     As we come to the final chapters of Genesis, we also come to the end of the life of Jacob. The New Bible commentary says: The extended description of Jacob’s death and burial looks like morbid melodrama. It is, in fact, a celebration of the fulfillment of the promises.^[2]

Jacob has lived in Egypt for 17 years and is coming to the end of his life. He calls his sons together to give them some final words. He still must have marvelled at God’s ability to work with him and his family.  Just when it looked like they would perish in the famine, God saved them through a son he thought had died. Oh, the mysteries of God!

     Jacob has something to say to each of his sons –what is especially important for us to hear during the Advent season are his words to his son Judea, in Genesis 49:8-10. “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, 0 Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations is his.”  (NIV)

     Judea is the fourth son, but his tribe will rule the other tribes and will hold the sceptre for one to whom it belongs. Which tribe was King Saul from? Benjamin. Did he have a dynasty? No. How about King David, what tribe was he from? Judea. Jacob was foreseeing the royal line of David, yet there is more!  What is verse 10 saying? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs, and the obedience of the nations is his.  Judah will rule until the “rightful” ruler comes and he will rule what? Israel?  It says: the obedience of the nations is his. This is a continuation of the promise God made in the Garden of Eden and to Abraham that he is sending a deliverer to all of humanity.  This is another prophecy regarding the Messiah: he will rule the nations.

     In Isaiah 55:8-9 God reminds us of something we often forget: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

     We don’t like unanswered questions.  We think everything should be knowable and make sense to us! Jacob is an example of someone who learned over time, that the best way to live life, is to trust God to work out His promises rather than trying to figure out how to make them happen yourself! 

     Hebrews chapter 11 is a record of people who pleased God – not because they figured him out or his plan. They pleased God because they believed He had a plan and believed it was the best plan. They trusted Him and allowed Him to work that plan through their lives. The Bible defines this action as “walking by faith“. They didn’t live a flawless life, have all the answers, nor could they foresee how it would all end. Many of them suffered because of this choice but they still choose to believe by faith and trust God’s plan.

     Today, we know more of God’s plan, we know the deliverer has come and he is Jesus Christ the Lord. Yet we still don’t have all the answers and we too must choose to put our faith in God and walk by faith – through times of plenty, in suffering, loss, struggles with family & friends but we don’t let anything take our eyes off our choice to live a life of faith – even when it’s not easy, especially when it’s not easy!

     The Book of Genesis ends with God continuing to reveal his plan to send a deliverer who would be not just for the Jews, but for all humanity. This is what Paul often referred to as the mystery. Romans 16:25-26 says: “Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him (NIV)

…The key to Jacob’s happy ending was not mainly that he was happy. That was most obvious. He was thrilled to have his whole family together again. But that is not what was most important. What was important was that he finished his life in an all-out sprint, serving the Lord. Murmuring had been replaced with praise. Accusations had been replaced with blessings. Passivity and reclusiveness had been replaced with action. And fear had been replaced with faith (46:4)! Jacob had finished well.^[3]

     How will you finish your walk of faith? Are you tempted to give up because all the messes in your life – your own doing or because of others?  We don’t have all the answers, but we know that our God is worthy of our trust. He has been at work amongst us from creation, to bring us back into relationship with himself; he is worthy of our trust.

     How will you finish? There are so many distractions in life. Christmas itself shows how easy it is to let the good, distract us from what is most important – making God’s gift known. How are you doing? When you fall, do you give up or get up and with God’s help keep going? Hebrews 11 still has room for your name in it!  Keep walking in faith right to the finish line!

Hymn: #117 “We come O Christ to you” (click on link for music: https://youtu.be/xQ10rn5G4Wg)

Verse 1 – We come O Christ to You, True Son of God and man, by Whom all things consist, in Whom all life began:  In You alone we live and move and have our being in Your love. 

Verse 2 – You are the way to God, Your blood our ransom paid; In You we face our Judge and Maker unafraid.  Before the throne absolved, we stand, Your love has met Your law’s demand. 

Verse 3 – You are the living truth!  All wisdom dwells in You, The source of every skill, The one eternal True!  O great I Am!  In You we rest, Sure answer to our every quest. 

Verse 4 – You only are true life, to know You is to live the more abundant life That earth can never give:  O risen Lord!  We live in You, in us each day Your life renew! 

Verse 5 – We worship You Lord Christ, Our Savior and our King, To You our youth and strength adoringly we bring:  So, fill our hearts, that all may view Your life in us, and turn to You!

CCLI Song # 3680735 Margaret Clarkson © 1957. Renewed 1985 InterVarsity Press. Assigned 1987 to Hope Publishing Company For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

[1] Strassner, K. (2009). Opening up Genesis (169-173). Leominster Day One Publications.

[2] Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed.) (Ge 48:1-50:26). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, III., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.

[3] Strassner, K. (2009). Opening up Genesis (169-173). Leominsten Day One Publications.

You may also visit:  https://esterhazybaptistchurch.podbean.com/ to listen to a recording of the message.

Genesis 12:1-3. “The impact of faith in the one true God – Abraham.”

December 6, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1, 3 (NRSV)

Hymn #127 “Thou didst leave Thy throne” (click link for music Thou didst leave Thy throne – YouTube)

Verse 1 – Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity.  O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

Verse 2 – Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang, proclaiming Thy royal degree; but in lowly birth

Didst Thou come to earth, and in great humility. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

Verse 3 – The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest in the shade of the forest tree; But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.  O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

Verse 4 – Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word that should set Thy people free; but with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn they bore Thee to Calvary.  O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.

Verse 5 – When the heavens shall ring and the angels sing at Thy coming to victory, Let Thy voice call me home, Saying, yet there is room, there is room at My side for thee.  My heart shall rejoice Lord Jesus, When Thou comest and callest for me.

CCLI Song # 91977 Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott | Timothy Richard Matthews © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     We have now entered the season of Advent, a time of preparation for coming of Jesus.  Last week we saw in Genesis 3:15 that even before Adam & Eve hear the judgment on their sin, God gives them a message of hope that all is not lost!  Within the curse upon the serpent is a promise that God is going to send someone, a seed of Eve who will be able to free humanity from Satan’s grip.

     Today we are going to look at the good news from God promised through Abram or as God later named him, Abraham.  This promise forms the backbone of God’s plan to bring humanity back into relationship with Himself.

     We first meet Abraham in the last verses of Genesis chapter 11.  Consider all that is included in the first 11 chapters of Genesis: Creation, the fall, humanity’s growing sinfulness, the judgment of the flood, Noah & his family’s salvation, the re-population of the world and the confusion of languages which comes upon humanity at the tower of Babel due to its growing pride.  Finally at the end of chapter 11 in the genealogy of Shem Abram is introduced and then chapter 12 begins with God’s invitation to Abraham to trust him.

     Before we look this invitation, think what it means that the next 12 chapters, Genesis 12 to 23, focus on the later years of one man, Abraham (He’s 75 years old in Gen. 12)! In addition, Chapter 24 is about fulfilling Abraham’s wish to find a wife for son Isaac and chapter 25:1-8 records Abraham’s final years and death.  This man must have a very significant role in God’s plan in order to get this much attention!  Now, let’s look at Genesis 12:1–3 ¹ The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. ² “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (NIV)

     Verse 1 explains what Abraham needed to do.  God wanted him to leave his country, his culture and family, and travel until he told him to stop.  If Abram would do this, trust God with his life, family & livelihood, God promises to bless him and his children, what a promise!  This required faith, since Abraham & Sarah were older and didn’t have any children!  God continues, saying that He will take how people treat Abraham personally; to bless or curse Abraham was to bless or curse God!  And God continues: “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (NIV)  Don Richardson in his book Eternity in their hearts says this about Genesis 12:1-3, “He is not blessing Abram to make him egotistical, arrogant, aloof, or self-centered.  Yahweh blesses him to make him a blessing – and not just to his own kin!  This blessing is targeted to nothing less than all peoples on earth!  And nothing could be less selfish or less provincial!”[1]

     God’s promise to bless Abraham’s off spring and through them all the nations of the earth, is repeated twice more to Abraham (Gen. 18:18; 22:17-18), to his son Isaac (Gen. 26:4) and to his grandson Jacob (Gen. 28:14). Throughout the history of Israel, continued to God keep his covenant with Abraham.

     Shortly after the church was established the Apostle Peter pointed to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.  In Acts 3:24–26 we read: “Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.” (NLT).

     As the early church grew beyond the borders of Judea, it struggled with how to treat the Gentiles.  Paul (Saul) was called by God to be the Apostle to the Gentiles and this meant he needed to understand what God required for membership in the church.  Paul’s pharisaic training taught him the Gentiles should first become Jews to be accepted by God.  The only problem with this plan was God; he was “breaking the rules!”  When the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus was proclaimed to the Gentiles, those who responded were receiving God’s Holy Spirit before they could be properly inducted into Judaism (Acts 10:44-48; 11:19-25)!  The church’s leadership met and concluded that God was making it clear that conversion to Judaism was not required to become a Christian. 

     This didn’t satisfy the legalists who continued to tell Gentile Christians that they need to conform fully to the laws of Moses.  To counter these claims Paul went back to be beginnings of Judaism: not to Moses and the Law, but to Abraham.  Abraham was the first to be told by God to circumcise all the males in his household as a sign they belonged to him.  Paul then reminds us that God’s promise to bless Abraham took place long before he told Abraham to get circumcised (Gen. 12:4 – Abraham is 75 years old. He is 99 years old when he is circumcised in Gen. 17 – and thus becomes “Jewish”). Paul then concludes that the true “Children of Abraham” were those who followed God by placing their faith in him, and not in their own external actions (like circumcision).  In Galatians 3:26–29 Paul writes: “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (NLT).

     Those who God considers “Abraham’s seed” are those who approach him in faith.  In Romans 3 we read that the only way to have our sin removed and our relationship with God restored is to come to him in faith, trusting his grace provided though Jesus. Romans 3:22–24: “²² God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. ²³ All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. ²⁴ But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.” (CEV).

     The good news God promised through Abraham concerning his seed, Jesus, is to bless the whole world, and he is at work now doing that through us!  God’s plan was not just to save one family or even one nation, but that all of the people on earth would have an opportunity to respond to his saving grace.

     In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John recorded a vision of the last days.  Listen to how God’s people gathered in heaven are described:  “Then they sang a new song, ‘You [Lamb of God] are worthy to receive the scroll and open its seals, because you were killed. And with your own blood you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race. You let them become kings and serve God as priests, and they will rule on earth.’” Rev. 5:9–10 (CEV)

     Listen again to Don Richardson: “John could as easily have described the scenes mentioned with a single Greek noun for mankind. Instead he ransacks the entire Greek language and musters every noun available to denote the kind of ethnic subdivisions of mankind which were the original God-ordained targets of the Abrahamic ‘blessing’.” [2]

     As God promised Abraham and showed John, his plan is to reach all the people groups of the world with the Gospel message.  All who belong to Christ are Abraham’s seed, and heirs of God’s promise and using us God wants to bless all the families of the earth.  This good news, this is great news – we are part of God’s plan! 

Hymn #138 – “Go tell it on the mountain” (click link for music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh1pNRznPcQ)

Chorus – Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and ev’rywhere; Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Verse 1 – While shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. 

Verse 2 – The shepherds feared and trembled when lo above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed the Savior’s birth.  Chorus

Verse 3 – Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.  Chorus

CCLI Song # 1869562 Geron Davis | John W. Work Jr. © Words: Public Domain  Music: 1995 DaviShop Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Gaither Music Company (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: ¹⁶ May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, ¹⁷ put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 The Message)

[1] Richardson, Don Eternity in their hearts, p. 6, Regal Books, 1983.

[2] Richardson, Don Eternity in their hearts, p. 131, Regal Books, 1983.

You may also visit:  https://esterhazybaptistchurch.podbean.com/ to listen to a recording of the message.

Psalm 134 – “Come, Bless the LORD.”

November 22, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church

Call to Worship:  “A psalm of thanksgiving. Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his— his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.” Psalm 100 (CSB).

Hymn: #2 “Come, Thou fount of every blessing” (click link for music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfXOUTaONoI)

Hymn: #4 “How great Thou art” (click link for music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA5F9KC5eEM)

      Today we are looking at Psalm 134, the last psalm in the 15 song hymn book called “The Songs of Ascents.”  While the pilgrims of Israel on their way to the Temple in Jerusalem may have literally been ascending to Mount Zion as they sang these songs, we have also been ascending towards God as we have looked at each of these psalms in order.  Psalm 120 begins with a change of heart.  Perhaps the attaining of a long held dream has left us empty and unsatisfied.  Our goal has been met, but the inner meaninglessness remains.  Now we realize the sacrifices and compromises were for nothing!  What am I doing here? This is not where I want to be! I feel like I’m in a distant land, a self-serving, “dog eat dog” way I life I want nothing more to do with. I then do the only thing I can think of the will change things, I cry out to God for help – and he answers me!  Psalm 120 begins our journey back to God. 

      Rev. S Conway in his sermon on Ps 134 gives this helpful overview:  Ps. 121 tells of God’s continual preservation of his people; Ps. 122, of the joy and delight realized in the worship of the Lord; Ps. 123, of waiting continually upon God in times of trouble; Ps. 124, of deliverance from fierce foes; Ps. 125, of experience of God’s guardian care; Ps. 126, of the joy of God’s salvation; Ps. 127, of the Lord alone being our sure Keeper; Ps. 128, of God’s grace and goodness sweetening the home; Ps. 129, of afflictions many, but of preservation in them all; Ps. 130, of God’s blessed uplifting; Ps. 131, of the soul kept in the peace of God; Ps. 132, of the prosperity of the faithful [Church]; and Ps. 133, of [her] the blessings of unity; and now in Ps. 134 there is, as there well may be, the command to bless the Lord. What a long list it is of mercies, and help, and deliverances, and blessings unspeakable! If people will look back along their lives, they too will bless the Lord.^[1]

      Listen to Psalm 134: “¹ Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. ² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. ³ May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 134:1–3 (NIV).

      The original setting for this psalm is not certain.  The call to praise the Lord in vv. 1 & 2 may have been given by priests who served during the day to the Levities who were responsible for the Temple grounds during the night.  Their work is mentioned in 1 Chron. 9:26-27 & 33 “The four full-time guards were Levites, and they supervised the other guards and were responsible for the rooms in the temple and the supplies kept there. They guarded the temple day and night and opened its doors every morning.” 1 Chronicles 9:26–27 (CEV).  “The Levite family leaders who were the musicians also lived at the temple. They had no other responsibilities, because they were on duty day and night.” 1 Chronicles 9:33 (CEV).

      In verse 3, the servants of the Lord on the night shift respond with a version of the priestly blessing on the speakers in vv. 1 & 2 as they depart: “May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.”

      One can see how this psalm would be a fitting song for worshippers at the Temple after joining in the evening prayers and before leaving for their nearby lodgings.  It may also be that this was sung as they were leaving the Temple at the completion of a festival.  James Boice, in his commentary says: “As they leave the city, they are encouraged to know that the priests will be remaining behind to represent them at the temple and so they will be worshiping God there continually.”^[2] 

      Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of this psalm and its application for us today.  The best place to start is to ask: What is the main theme of this passage? “¹ Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. ² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. ³ May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 134:1–3 (NIV).

      We could answer: “The Lord, praise or worship.”  The theme is clearer in Hebrew text through the use of the same word in each of the three verses. Let’s look at another English translation of the Bible which translates the Hebrew word the same all the way through this psalm.  Here it is in the NRSV translation: “¹ Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! ² Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord. ³ May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.” Psalm 134 (NRSV).  Did you hear the repeated word?  It is “bless”.

      “Come, bless the Lord.”  There is a chorus based on this psalm that we used to sing in young peoples, and I used to wonder “How do I bless the Lord?”  Have you wondered that?  How do we bless the Lord?  When I think of blessing someone I think of wishing them wellness, contentment or happiness –   clearly God is not lacking in anything, so my definition needs adjustment!

      The problem is that our English word “bless” is used to translate two different Hebrew words.  The definition I just used of “bless” is for a Hebrew word that is used in Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,” (NIV).  This “blessed” is also translated as “happy is…” and describes the sense of well-being that comes when we are living in tune with God and experiencing his blessings.  The word in Hebrew is only used of people and never for God.

      The second Hebrew word translated as “bless” has the idea of kneeling or bending down, which is the appropriate attitude to have when approaching God.  When it is directed towards God, carries the idea of submissive praise as in Ps. 134:1, 2.  Mark Futato in his commentary on this psalm says: To bless the Lord is to confess our ultimate dependence upon him for all that we are, do, and have in this life. ^[3]

      Now, what does this word mean when the blessing is from God as in Ps. 134:3?  When this word refers to God, it pictures Him as bending down, getting on our level and sharing himself with us.  “May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.” (NRSV).  The one who spoke all that is into being, is not far away, but has come among us to bless us!  This is the gospel, the good news; that God has come to us, understanding our struggles and our needs – the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14)!

      What should be our response?  We bless the Lord / we praise the Lord as the ultimate source of all blessings. Paul in Ephesians 1:3 writes: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (NIV)

      How can we apply this passage to ourselves?       We can apply it literally – when we are up during the night or cannot sleep, we can also praise the Lord for his grace, mercy and love to us; just as we would do during the day.

      We can apply this passage missiologically.  At times when I cannot sleep, I pray for our missionaries and our fellow Christians on the other side of the world.  Perhaps the Lord is inviting me to pray because of a need they are experiencing!

      We can apply this passage personally. 

There are times life which seems very dark. Psalm 134 tells us to praise God in life’s dark moments also. Charles Wesley’s hymn, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” was probably inspired by an earlier hymn entitled, “O That I Had a Thousand Voices,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr4r6DQHytI) by Johann Mentzer who pastored a church in the village of Kemnitz, Germany (1696). Most of his parishioners were poor serfs whose hard work benefited their wealthy masters. Mentzer’s heart went out to his people, toiling in poverty and trouble, and he often counseled them to praise the Lord whatever the circumstances. One evening as Johann returned from a Bible study he grew alarmed at a frightening red glow in the sky. Hurrying onward, he found his own home ablaze. It had been set afire during his absence. As he later inspected the ruins, he was disturbed and downhearted. It was then that a serf reportedly tapped him on the shoulder, saying, “So, Pastor, are you still in the mood for praise and thanksgiving?” Johann offered a silent prayer, and at that moment, his whole attitude changed. It seemed to him that a Christian’s praise to God should be louder than the sound of the tongues of flame that had just consumed his home. The next day, he composed this hymn: “O that I had a thousand voices/and with a thousand tongues could tell/of Him in whom the earth rejoices/who does all things wisely and well.” [4]

Conclusion: If you can’t sleep at night, get up and bless the Lord. If you find yourself working for Christ in a dark area, learn to praise the Lord in the darkness. If you’re facing difficulty right now, try praise and thanksgiving.

      We are able to praise the Lord because he has poured out his blessings on his servants!  Thank you Lord.  Come, let us bless the Lord!

Hymn: #76 – O for a thousand tongues to sing (click link for music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bm0b1745vA)

Benediction: “‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’” (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)

^[1] Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 276). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

^[2] Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 107–150: An Expositional Commentary (p. 1167). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

^[3] Futato, M. D. (2009). The Book of Psalms. In Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 7: The Book of Psalms, The Book of Proverbs (p. 401). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] Morgan, R. J. Nelson’s annual preacher’s sourcebook. 2005 Edition. (144–146). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

You may also visit:  https://esterhazybaptistchurch.podbean.com/ to listen to a recording of the message.

Psalm 132.  “Live today, remembering and hopeful.”

November 8, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.” Psalm 100:4–5 (CSB)

     We are continuing our look at the Psalms of Ascents, with today’s examination of Psalm 132.  The psalms gathered to form this collection call us to continue to rely on God. Why do we need to be reminded to keep growing spiritually?  Because our “world’s system” is not focused on pleasing God, and certainly not on acknowledging him as the leader of our life.  The world tells us we need to be our life’s leader, the individual is king – “it’s all about me.”

     I want to look at a couple of assumptions from our world system that we need to be aware of or they will weaken our spiritual maturity.

     The first is the idea of living for the moment.  “Just be in the moment.”  While most of us enjoy spontaneity in life, and stores count on it for increased sales, we are talking about something else.  This call to “just live for the moment” means to stop thinking about the past or worrying about the future and just enjoy “right now.”  Yes, it’s not healthy to get stuck in the past or to only dream about the future; yet ignoring both and focusing only on the emotions of the moment could lead us to make choices without considering the costs or consequences.  It becomes a repackaging of the phrase “If it feels good, do it!”

     A second assumption is “You have to do what’s best for you.”  All of life is to be evaluated by how it impacts you as an individual.  “How is this going to make me feel?”  “How is this going to help me?”  “How will doing this benefit me?” 

     What you would you think of a pollster who issued a report on how Canadians felt about a new show, only to find out they interviewed only one person who hadn’t watched the whole show?  We would have been given inaccurate, incomplete and misleading information!  That is what we are doing when we base our conclusions on prayer, giving, God’s forgiveness, eternal salvation etc., on our own personal findings.  To get a more complete picture we need the experiences of others – brothers and sisters in the church and the centuries of experience provided by our biblical ancestors and especially God’s Word.

     Psalm 132 shows mature obedience as a lively, adventurous response of faith that lives in the present, but is also grounded in historical fact and reaches upward to a promised future based on God’s Word. 

     Psalm 132 is the longest of the Psalms of Ascent.  The first half is a prayer remembering the oath David made to the Lord and the second half recalls the oath the Lord made to David concerning his descendants.  Listen to Psalm 132:

“A song of ascents. ¹ Lord, remember David and all his self-denial. ² He swore an oath to the Lord, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: ³ “I will not enter my house or go to my bed, ⁴ I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, ⁵ till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” ⁶ We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar: ⁷ “Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at his footstool, saying, ⁸ ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. ⁹ May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.’ ” ¹⁰ For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one. ¹¹ The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. ¹² If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.” ¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, ¹⁴ “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. ¹⁵ I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. ¹⁶ I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy. ¹⁷ “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. ¹⁸ I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”” Psalm 132:1–18 (NIV).

Psalm 132:1-10 – A prayer remembering David.

1. 1-5 Remembers David’s deep desire to honour the Lord with a proper dwelling place.
2. 6-9 Is designed to remind the Israelites of story they knew well, of when David moved the Ark of God from the countryside of Jaar (Kiriath Jearim) to Jerusalem, their new captial.
3. 10 Builds on the thought introduced in v. 1, but with greater detail. The Lord is asked to recall David’s passion for God, so the Lord will not reject the ‘anointed one’ – a reference to the Davidic King. This verse leads into the next section.

Psalm 132:11-18 – The promise made to David and his dynasty.

1. 11-12 God promised David he would place one of his descendants on the throne, and if David’s sons are faithful to obey what God has said and taught them, their sons will also reign.
2. 13-16 The Lord confirms that Jerusalem is where He will rule from and as a result will bless the city and its residents. “¹⁶ I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.” I am reminded of the words of 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)
3. 17-18 God’s promise to David will be fulfilled through his anointed one. We know this promise came true in Jesus! The horn mentioned in v. 17 means strength and represents the king who will rule.  The Lord’s enemies will be humbled (v. 18) as he is glorified!

     What can we learn from psalm 132?  We can see that God’s promises to David have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus:

     The promises of Psalm 132:11–12 are heard in the words of the angel spoken to Mary: Luke 1:30–33. “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”” (NIV)

     The promises of Psalm 132:17–18 are declared in Zachariah’s song of praise when, after the naming of his son, John, his speech is restored: Luke 1:67–71. “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (NIV)

     Let me urge you to resist the tendency to treat this like it is ‘old news’, because this is great news!  It wonderful to be reminded that God kept a promise made to King David approximately one thousand years before the birth of Jesus, in David’s birth place, Bethlehem! 

     As we read Ps 132 we rejoice that the Messiah has come and yet we know we have more promises to look forward to, in this passage and others.  Our faith is not just about what happened in the past.  Our faith is anchored by the fulfilled promises of the past and it is energized by the future and what God has promised is awaiting those who trust in Christ as Saviour and Lord.

     This psalm is a great reminder of what is required for our Christian faith to grow and mature. If we simply live for the moment or just focus on ourselves and what we have experienced we doom ourselves to repeat mistakes of the past.  Living without an understanding of history can cause us to chase fads, and life becomes a huge puzzle which can lead you to feel like you are walking through a mine field, not know where it’s safe to step next.  Living without knowledge of God’s future promises of hope can make life bleak, rutted and hopeless. Many people today are asking: “What’s the point in life, why go on if this is all there is?”

     Psalm 132 cultivates the memory of God’s faithfulness and nurtures the hope for the future, which leads to mature obedience.  Christian, if you want to mature in your Christian life, you have to know your Bible and those who interacted with God before you.  Spend time reading it and reflect on what you are reading.  Look for lessons from history.  Look at God’s interaction with the people in the Bible.  Also listen for God’s promises – notice when they are answered – what does this mean for us?  Notice too, if there are promises still to come – is this a promise to look forward to?

Closing song: #406 “My hope is in the Lord” (vv. 1,2,4)

Benediction: Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.  1 Corinthians 16:13, 14, 23. (RSV)

You may also visit:  https://esterhazybaptistchurch.podbean.com/ to listen to a recording of the message.

Psalm 131.  “Measuring your spiritual growth.”

October 25, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “⁶ What offering should I bring when I bow down to worship the Lord God Most High? Should I try to please him by sacrificing calves a year old? ^7a Will thousands of sheep or rivers of olive oil make God satisfied with me? ⁸ The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”” Micah 6:6, 7a,8 (CEV).

Hymn: #213 “Because He lives” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm2wLKZoGPY)

Verse 1: God sent His Son they called Him Jesus, He came to love heal and forgive. He bled and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove My Savior lives.

Chorus: Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living Just because He lives.

Verse 2: How sweet to hold our newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives. But greater still the calm assurance, This child can face uncertain days Because He lives.

Verse 3: And then one day I’ll cross that river, I’ll fight life’s final war with pain, And then as death gives way to vict’ry, I’ll see the lights of glory And I’ll know He lives.

CCLI Song # 16880  Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither  © 1971 Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management)  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

      How does one measure growth?  For most children its all about their height, they can see they are growing by the changes in their height.  Some of you may have had or still have a spot in your house where you measured the growth of each child or grandchild.  As kids get older, they love to measure their growth compared to their parents (I’m taller than mom!). 

      Now some kids think that when they reach a certain height or age that they should be able to do exactly what their siblings or friends got to do at that age.  However, parents know that physical height or age does not determine a child’s maturity.  For that parents are measuring different things.  For example, one would be your willingness to obey.  That means following instructions even if you do not “see the point” or how it will benefit you.  Another gauge of maturity is knowing when to take age appropriate responsibility and when to check with your parents.  A third indicator of growing maturity is your willingness to cooperate with others and encourage them to do the RIGHT thing.

      We will come back to these thoughts later, but today we are looking at how to measure our spiritual growth.  How do you know if you are maturing in your Christian life?  Is there a ruler somewhere we can stand next to and check?  Is it how many times you’ve read through the Bible?  Is it the number of times you attend church in a year?  Or how long you pray each day?  The number of doors you knock on?  The things you don’t do because you are a good Christian? {By the way, whose list should I follow? There are so many opinions!}

      In the 1960’s Fritz Ridenour wrote a little book on Romans for Bible study which he entitled “How to be a Christian without being religious”.  The author agrees that Christianity is a religion, but he defines “religious” as us trying to reach God, find God or please God through our efforts in the hope He will respond with grace and mercy. 

      Christianity, on the other hand is God reaching out to us and our responding to His grace, mercy and love by receiving His forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  The religious person is trying to win God’s approval through their actions and sacrifices.  A Christian realizes that they cannot earn God’s approval, but they can receive it from Him as a gift given through the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus on the cross for our sins.

      So, how can we measure our Christian maturity if not by our outward actions?  Let me suggest you have a talk with God about the attitudes of your heart.  For example, your willingness to obey God’s instructions, or knowing when to check in with Him about something or your willingness to cooperate with others while encouraging them to do the right thing.  This morning we are going to observe how to do that by “listening in” on someone as they reflect with God on their spiritual growth.  Listen as I read Psalm 131.  “A song of ascents. Of David. ¹ My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. ² But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. ³ Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Psalm 131 (NIV).

      Psalm 131 is the 12^th of the 15 psalms of Ascent.  Psalms 120 – 134 were likely sung by those on their way to one of the three great annual festivals to the Lord held in Jerusalem.  Charles H. Spurgeon in his three volume commentary on the Psalms said that Psalm 131 “is one of the shortest Psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn.  It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experiences of a man in Christ.”  Let take a look at this psalm.

Verse 1 – My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. (NIV)

      At first glance you might think that this verse is the introverts dream verse – I don’t need to get involved in life!  Yet this verse is not about avoiding the challenges of life, it is about facing life with the right approach: A God focused attitude.  This begins by joining the psalmist in avoiding two common sins of life; pride, and presumption!

      Pride undervalues other people in the attempt to boost your own value.  The answer to pride is found in Jesus’ example as told in Philippians chapter 2: “Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.  Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:  Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God.  He gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.” Philippians 2:3–7 (CEV).

      The second sin the psalmist draws our attention to is presumption, “my eyes are not haughty”.  This is a feeling of contemptuous superiority over others.  Presumption is when one overvalues themselves.  This causes us to be hard to live with, and easily offended when we think we have not been treated as highly as we deserve!  Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 (NIV).

      The psalmist rejects pride and presumption in his own life by keeping a proper perspective on his God – “I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.” (Ps. 131:1b).  This sounds like Job 42:3b after Job is confronted in chapters 38-41 with how little he (we) know about our world:  “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job 42:3b (NIV).

      The psalmist realizes like Job, there are countless things he does not understand and determines to stop second guessing God.  How about you?  Have you learned to stop second guessing God?  How can we do this?  By following Jesus’ example by constantly checking with the Father and the following his plans to begin with!  Are you obedient to God’s will?  This is a sign of spiritual maturity.

Verse 2 –  But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. (NIV)

      This is a beautify, intimate picture of peace that the psalmist gives us.  Does this describe you?  Do you draw into God’s presence to enjoy him and see life from his perspective?  Or are you only going to him when you are hungry for what you want from him: “Here’s my list – satisfy me!”  Knowing when to act and when to wait is a sign of relationship and maturity!

      This psalm reminds us of Jesus’ object lesson in Matthew 18:1–4 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (NIV)

      The writer uses an easily understood illustration to picture an inner change that his soul was growing into.  The image of weaning includes with it a growing willingness to trust God with my life.  I will trust that He will provide what I need, when I need it as opposed to me fusing, crying & demanding He do something right now!  This theme of God’s tender care for His people is seem throughout the Bible: Deuteronomy 1:31 “And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.” (NLT)

Isaiah 46:3–4 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.  I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (NLT)

The Psalmist is sharing the peace Paul describes he came to learn – Philippians 4:11–13  “I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have.  I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little.  Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” (CEV)

Verse 3 –  O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore. (NIV)

      How do you know if you are maturing in the Lord?  Check to see where your focus is and what you do about it: “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”  Are you sharing the hope you have found in the Lord with others and encouraging them in their journey back to him?  This is another sign of spiritual growth.

      Where are you now in your relationship with the Lord?  Close?  Distant?  Whose wisdom are you trusting in right now?  Is there something God is weaning you away from?  If so, do not fuss; he has something better to take its place – himself!

      Put your hope in the Lord:

Not in yourself, your plans, or your goodness (v. 1)

Not in God’s blessings & gifts (v. 2)

But in Him, in the Lord alone (v. 3)

      We tend to evaluate our spiritual maturity by what we do.  This psalm reminds us that maturity is seen in how we respond to life’s temptations and trials.  The psalmist had learned not to focus on personal accomplishments and status, but to find quietness of soul in trusting oneself to God’s care. 

Closing Song: #347 “Be still my soul” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDNxo_aIZQw)

Verse 1: Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In ev’ry change He faithful will remain.  Be still my soul thy best thy heav’nly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Verse 2: Be still my soul thy God doth undertake To guide the future as He has the past.  Thy hope thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last.  Be still my soul the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Verse 3: Be still my soul the hour is hast’ning on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment grief and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot love’s purest joys restored.  Be still my soul when change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

CCLI Song # 96910  Jane Laurie Borthwick | Jean Sibelius | Kathrina Amalia von Schlegel  © Words: Public Domain  Music: Public Domain  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394 Benediction: “‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’” (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)

Benediction: “‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’” (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)

Call to Worship: “Shout praises to the Lord! He is good to us, and his love never fails.” “You should praise the Lord for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.” Psalm 107:1, 8 (CEV).

Hymn #564: “We Are So Blessed” (click on link for music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh-FRgBB06Q)

Verse 1: We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand, I just can’t understand why You’ve loved us so much.  We are so blessed, we just can’t find a way or the words that can say, thank you Lord for Your touch.

Chorus: When we’re empty You fill us ’til we overflow, When we’re hungry You feed us and cause us to know; we are so blessed, take what we have to bring; take it all ev’rything, Lord we love You so much.

Verse 2: We are so blessed by the things You have done, the vict’ries we’ve won and what You’ve brought us through.  We are so blessed, take what we have to bring; take it all ev’rything, Lord we bring it to You.

Bridge: More than ever before, Lord, I love You. More than ever before, Lord, I love You. More than ever before, Lord, I need You.  More than ever before, Lord, I want to tell You, I love you now more than ever before. (Repeat)

Ending: We are so blessed, take what we have to bring; take it all ev’rything, Lord we love you so much.  Lord we love You so much.

CCLI Song # 15991 Gloria Gaither | Greg Nelson | William J. Gaither © 1982 River Oaks Music Company (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) William J. Gaither, Inc. (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     Today is Thanksgiving Sunday yet it has been such a strange year because of Covid-19 that one may not even feel like giving thanks.  Times of celebration such as weddings, birthdays and anniversaries have had to be drastically modified.  Times of grief have had to pass without the usual coming together of family and community for mutual support. Is it realistic to give thanks in the midst of times like these?  Today we turn to Psalm 107 for answers.  It deals with four difficult situations.  In each case, when the individuals finally choose to call out to God for help, he does help, and thankfulness is the appropriate response. The ability to give thanks is ultimately based on our choices. Today we will look at Psalm 107 for some of the secrets to having a thankful heart.

The 1st secret to a thankful heart is to celebrate the Character of God.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

     We give thanks because Our God is good and he is loving. God’s character is seen throughout this psalm; he is the God who responds to his people’s heartfelt prayers: vv. 6, 9, 14, 20, 29.  Notice that God’s character is celebrated by his people: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,” Psalm 107:2 (NIV). Redemption means a change of ownership from one person to another after the payment of a purchase price. It also has the idea of “ransom” referring to paying for a slave or a prisoner under the sentence of death.  The loving character of God is highlighted in Romans 5:8. God the Father has already paid the cost of our sin in sending Jesus to die in our place (“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV). We only need to accept our need for his forgiveness and submit ourselves to his leadership.

     Note also that this psalm is not intended to be a ‘solo’ piece; it is to be sung by the full choir of God’s redeemed people, giving praise to God for his loving goodness demonstrated to his people.  Ephesians 1:7 also celebrates God’s character: “Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness.” (GW)

The 2nd secret to a thankful heart is to focus on the essentials of life vv. 4, 10, 17, 23-27).

     This psalm gives four different situations which forced people to reconsider what was most important in life.

     First there are the travelers attempting to cross a desert wilderness to find a place for them to settle (v4).  They are homeless, lost, helpless, hungry, thirsty and at the point of death.  When they called to the Lord he led them to a place of safety (v.7).  Asking for directions and help takes humility.  Humility is good, for God loves a humble heart!

     The second picture we have is of people who were determined to follow to their own wisdom, despising that found in God’s word.  Just as the Book of Proverbs warns, they find themselves in the darkness & gloom of a prison of their own making.

     The third situation mentioned are people, who because of their foolish, rebellious choices have become sick and find themselves at the point of death. Though not all sickness is a direct result of sin, some sinful activities lead to vulnerability to deadly illnesses.  Choices they felt would give them life need to be rejected, because they instead brought them to the point of death!

     The fourth situation is of merchant sailors who are in a huge storm which leaves them and their vessel of valuable cargo tossed about completely helpless. Calamities have a way of highlighting our frailties and refocusing our priorities.  We find that those things which we once were vital to bringing us happiness lose their significance.  Knowing the difference between necessities and luxuries helps one to be thankful for the basic joys of life itself.

     Remember that in Jesus hope is found for all who are trapped in the dangers and despair mentioned in this psalm. For those who have lost their way in life, Jesus is the good Shepherd and the Way (John 10, 14). For those captive in sin’s prison, Jesus is the one who gives ‘freedom to the prisoners’ (Luke 4:18). For those who are sick, Jesus is the great physician. For the helpless in life’s storms, Jesus is the one, who calmed the storm with a command: ‘peace, be still’ (Mark 4:39).

     Alford ‘Butch’ Summers, 30, was buried under tons of rubble when a Joplin, Missouri, hotel collapsed while he was working there as a welder. He said “There was no warning. All I could remember was all of a sudden, blam! It just collapsed.  No warning. There was no way of warning anybody. Everything was dark…

     “Did I panic? Oh, there was a time when I thought I might not make it. But I just kept pounding the pipe and praying a lot and hoping. I mainly lay down and prayed. I did an awful lot of praying. I prayed to Jesus, because He was the only one I knew could get me out of this. I’m not much of a religious man, but if anyone could get me out alive, it had to be Jesus.” (Fort Worth Star Telegram, Nov. 16, 1978, p. 3a).

     Three and a half days after the collapse of the hotel, Summers was rescued from the two-foot-high cavity where he had been trapped. From his hospital bed Summers said, “I don’t know how long I was there. All of a sudden the world caved in one me.” When the world caves in on you, as it did on Butch Summers, or as it did on the people described in the Psalm, we cry out to the Lord in our distress and He does hear us. The secret of thanksgiving is partly discerned when we have faced trouble and realize that all things are not equally important. When the basics of life are provided, it is time for great thanksgiving.

A Third secret to a thankful heart is to – Focus on the source of our help vv. 7, 14, 16, 20, 29-30

     Although ‘Butch’ Summers said he was not much of a religious man, he did know the source of help. He knew that if ‘anyone could get me out alive, it had to be Jesus.’ The people of Israel understood, as this Psalm so clearly shows, that God was the source of their strength and deliverance. He had brought them out of bondage, He had led them through the wilderness; He would bring them finally, safely home. If we are to be thankful, we must remember who the source of our blessings is; the Lord!

     A man, who had been an atheist, explained how he came to believe in God, this way. As he thought about the beauty of the dawn, the glory of the birth of a child, the love in the eyes of his wife; he didn’t know who to thank. On reflection, he had to admit to himself that this astonishing joy of life was so magnificent that nothing less than a God could have made it possible. This came from his desire to say thank you.

The fourth secret to a thankful heart is to practice the habit of gratefulness (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31).

     Did you notice in this psalm that after every time God saved his people there is a call for them to give thanks?  In Luke 17:12-19 we read the story about the ten men with leprosy that Jesus healed, but only one came back to him to say thank you? We can be just as careless with God’s blessings and not take the time to say “thank you” for all he does for us each day.

     In 1860 a boat sank in Lake Michigan, and of the 393 passengers only 114 survived.  In the midst of this immense loss, there was a story of amazing bravery and selflessness. A young man, Edward Spencer, swam out 17 times, each time bring some else to safety. After the seventeenth time he became delirious from the strain and had to stop. As a result of that night Spencer became sick and was confined to a wheelchair. Some years later, on Spencer’s birthday, a reporter asked him his most vivid memory of that heroic date in his life. His answer? “I remember that not one of the seventeen returned to thank me.” (Proclaim, Oct. – Dec. 1978, p. 30).

     Without thinking, we too can be ungrateful.  We need to think, we need to take time and choose to be grateful.  Psalm 92:1 reminds us: “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, 0 Most High” (NIV84).  Hebrews 13:15 says: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (NIV84)

     As I draw this message to a close, remember how Psalm 107 begins: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:1–3 (NIV).  The secret to a thankful heart begins with being one of the redeemed.  We need to ask ourselves, am I one of the redeemed?  Have I acknowledged my sin and need of God’s help?  Have I asked Jesus to be my sin forgiver and the leader of my life?  If you cannot count yourself as one of the redeemed: Admit your sin to God. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died in your place and rose victorious over death. Commit to following Jesus as your life leader.

     If you have accepted Jesus as your sin forgiver and life leader then you should thank God and tell others that God IS good and how you have experienced his enduring love.  It may be helpful to recall that according to Romans 1:21 a mark of the unregenerate heart is that “they neither [glorify God] as God nor [give] thanks to him.”

     The secret to a thankful heart is to: Celebrate the character of God, remembering his goodness & love towards us. Focus on what really matters in life, instead of what won’t last. Remember that your help comes from God. In addition, be willing to take the time to reflect on God’s goodness and say thank you. As you look back on the tough times of our life look for God’s unfailing love in all the twists and turns your life has taken, and give thanks.  Psalm 107 concludes with these words: “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43 (NIV).  As we do, we can turn every day into Thanksgiving Day regardless of the circumstances.  “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Ps. 107:1 (ESV)

Hymn: #563 “Count your blessings (click on link for music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YinABKpI_JM)

Verse 1: When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost Count your many blessings, Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Chorus: Count your blessings, Name them one by one; Count your blessings See what God hath done; Count your blessings, Name them one by one; Count your many blessings, See what God hath done.

Verse 2: Are you ever burdened with a load of care?  Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?  Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.

Verse 3: When you look at others with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, Money cannot buy your reward in heaven, Nor your home on high.

Verse 4: So amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all; count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

CCLI Song # 40416 Edwin Othello Excell | Johnson Oatman Jr. © Words: Public Domain  Music: Public Domain.  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: Go forth joyfully. God is with you. Bring peace and hope to all you meet. And may God’s eternal love shine through you always. AMEN.

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Psalm 128. “How to be happy.”

September 13, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.  He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalm 145:18–19 (NLT)

Opening Song: “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzMjfXFwijo

Chorus – Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul, Worship His holy name. Sing like never before O my soul, I’ll worship Your holy name.

Verse 1 – The sun comes up it’s a new day dawning, It’s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me: Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Chorus –

Verse 2 – You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger, Your name is great and Your heart is kind. For all Your goodness I will keep on singing, Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Chorus –

CCLI Song # 6016351 Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman © 2011 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     What does it take to be happy?  What kind of answer would you get if you asked that question to the people you work with? How about to your friends or family members?  Material things and social or economic position can provide short-term joy, but lasting happiness which is not dependent on circumstances comes from somewhere else.

     Today we are looking at Psalm 128 and it deals with the question of how to be happy.  Listen to Psalm 128 from the New Revised Standard version:  A Song of Ascents. 1 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 May you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! Psalm 128 (NRSV)

     What is the Psalmist’s answer to the question “How can we be happy?”  He says in verse one: “Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.”  It sounds strange to our ears to hear that fear can bring happiness, so we obviously need to understand what is meant here by the “fear of the Lord”.  A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament says: “To fear God means to acknowledge His superiority over man, to recognize His deity and thus respond in awe, humility, worship, love, trust, and obedience. The fear of God, “properly understood, was no mere ‘attitude,’ [it] involved the full range of humanity’s response to the deity.” Such response to God results in wisdom, in wise, skillful living.” ^[1] 

     Verse 1 is saying that relating to God correctly brings happiness (blessing).  The 1^st appropriate action is a holy reverence, described in verse one as fear or as the CEV translates it: respect.  Millard Erickson in his book “Christian Theology” explains the need for reverence in our relationship with God:  Although there are love and trust and openness between us and God, we are not equals. He is the almighty, sovereign Lord. We are his servants and followers. This means that we will submit our wills to God; we will not try to make his will conform to ours. Our prayers will also be influenced accordingly. Rather than making demands in our prayers, we will pray as Jesus did, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” [2]

     The 2^nd appropriate action to take towards God, which leads to happiness is to walk in his ways or as the latest NIV says to “walk in obedience to him”.  It’s important not to miss this!  This means taking God’s Word seriously and putting it into practice in your daily life through your actions, words and attitudes.  Sadly, studies show that many Evangelical Christians aren’t doing this and don’t live any differently than their non-Christian neighbours.  This explains the lack of blessing and subsequent frustration that they are experiencing in their life.  When we “walk in His ways” we are confirming that we get who God is! 

The story is told about a Sir Leonard Wood who once visited the King of France and the King was so pleased with him he was invited for dinner the next day.

Sir Leonard went to the palace and the King, meeting him in one of the halls, said, “Why, Sir Leonard, I did not expect to see you. How is it that you are here?”

“Did not your majesty invite me to dine with you?” said the astonished guest.  “Yes,” replied the King, “but you did not answer my invitation.”

Sir Leonard replied, “A king’s invitation is never to be answered, but to be obeyed.” ^[3]

If we truly ‘get’ who God is, isn’t it natural that we would believe He knows what He is talking about and obey His word?

     What is the consequence of having a right understanding of God and walking in obedience to his ways?  Verses 2 & 3 answers this question by listing some specific blessings.

     First there is the blessing of finding personal satisfaction and sufficiency through your hard work and the promise that you will get to enjoy it.  Ps. 128:2 “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.” Those who honour the Lord through obedience will find they are not working in vain. We are reminded of the words of Psalm 127:1-2a — “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.  It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil”. Psalm 127:1–2a (NRSV). Clearly any labor which ignores the Lord’s principles will not bring the lasting satisfaction you seek.  Work blessed by the Lord will! 

     Verse 3 uses agricultural terms to describe the peace and hope someone who walks in the ways of the Lord bring into their home.  3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.  The psalmist tells us, you become a blessing to those around you, especially those closest to you.

     The opposite effect is seen in the story about a rice farmer who inherited a field.  The 1^st year he watched as the water covered his field and gave him an abundant harvest. He was troubled however; as he noticed that the water flowed from his field onto his neighbour’s field making that field just as productive as his own.  So the next year he cut off the flow of “His” water into his neighbour’s field, but his field remained flooded and his crop was ruined.  The lesson is that withholding a blessing not only harms the other person, it also damages us.  It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

     In verse 3 notice how the man with a reverent and obedient attitude towards God impacts his family.  His wife is pictured as a fruitful vine, implying the bearing of children, but even more is involved.  Husbands, this passage is saying that your faithfulness to your heavenly Father is a blessing to your wife.  This enables her to be fruitful with all the gifts and abilities that God has given her; an example of this is the women described in Proverbs 31.  In the Hebrew, the writer emphasises that this happens “Within your house” – this means she is secure, at peace and happy to be YOUR wife!  You have heard the phrase “Happy wife, happy life.” Husbands, here is the biblical way to achieve that.  You set the example by fearing the Lord, and walking in his ways.  Your obedience to God blesses your wife!

     Not only will your wife be blessed and a blessing, happy in your home, you will see your children as a blessing.  Verse 3 pictures children as olive shoots – you are excited by their potential, what they can become.  Don’t you love to see the green shoots sprouting out of the ground in the spring as you look across a farmer’s field?  There is life, growth, potential for the future.  Through the family that the Lord blesses, the godly person derives both present and future joy and blessings.

     Verse 4 affirms that the promise of blessing given to the individual in verse 1 will in turn bless the family:  “This is how the Lord will bless the person who fears him.” (GW).  Now, what if you are not married?  The promise of blessing remains.  As you give God the proper place in your life and live in obedience to Him, you will find satisfaction in your efforts and see that you bring peace, life and growth to your relationships.  Happiness doesn’t come from the outside or from things, it comes from understanding – I am loved by God and He is pleased with my love for him and how I show that love with my obedient actions.

     Verses 5 & 6 are a prayer for a broadening of God’s blessing on the person who fears him and walks in his ways.  The Christian Standard Bible describes the end-results of the Lord’s blessing from Zion: “May the Lord bless you from Zion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life and will see your children’s children! Peace be with Israel.” Psalm 128:5–6 (CSB).  Zion was considered the home of God on earth, explaining why the blessing was coming from there.  The outcome of the Lord’s blessing was the prosperity of Jerusalem and to see your grand children as well as peace/shalom upon the nation (Israel).  The circles of blessings keep expanding to touch a city, future generation and even countries!  How is this happening?  It begins with a choice that you and I make to take the Lordship of Jesus Christ seriously in our own lives.  Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins – is he your sin forgiver?  Next, is he your Lord – your life leader?  He needs to be in charge, this is essential! Jesus in Matthew 7:21 says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who does what my Father in heaven wants. Matthew 7:21 (GW).  What is it that our Heavenly Father wants?  Psalm 128:1 expresses it in a blessing:  “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” Psalm 128:1 (NIV).  Walk in reverent obedience to him!

     So how do you get in on this blessed life?  There are no tricks, no luck required – simply choose to submit your life to Jesus as your sin forgiver and life leader and begin the life of obedient faith.  Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.

Hymn:  “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrTqBioaZ4

Verse 1 – Come Thou fount of ev’ry blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Verse 2 – Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come; And I hope by Thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home.  Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wand’ring from the fold of God; He to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

Verse 3 –  O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!  Let Thy grace Lord like a fetter, Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee: Prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, Lord take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.

Prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, Lord take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.

CCLI Song # 108389 John Wyeth | Robert Robinson © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction:  “‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’” (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)

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Psalm 127.  “What are you working for?”

September 6, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” Psalm 89:8, 15 (NIV).

Song: “He’s everything to me” (click link for music & words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqME-xBIY-k)

In the stars His handiwork I see, on the wind He speaks with majesty, Tho’ He ruleth over land and sea; What is that to me?

I will celebrate nativity, for it has a place in history; Sure, He came to set His people free; What is that to me?

‘Til by faith I met Him face to face, And I felt the wonder of His grace, Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn’t care, that lived away out there and, now He walks beside me day by day, Ever watching o’er me lest I stray, Helping me to find that narrow way, He’s everything to me (repeat 2x’s)

     “What are you working for?”  As we go through life, our answer to that question might change.  When young and asked by a puzzled friend “What are you working for?” We might say because our parents made us.  As a teen, when working at a fast food restaurant, we might say it was to get experience.  Eventually the answer becomes: to pay for school, then to pay off school, then to pay off a car, a house, trips, retirement, cars, more trips, treatments… It never seems to end does it? There always seems to be a need to seek satisfaction in something more!  Today we are going to consider how to find enduring purpose in our life & work.

     We are continuing our look in the book of Psalms at the 15 songs of Ascents – today our focus is on Psalm 127.  This psalm is attributed to Solomon.  This may be since King Solomon wrote part of Proverbs and psalm 127 contains thoughts about sensible godly living which are like those found in Proverbs. 

     Psalm 127’s attention to work today is especially appropriate since tomorrow is Labor Day.  Listen as I read Psalm 127 from the New International Translation: “1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”  Psalm 127 (NIV)

     At first glance some may erroneously conclude that Psalm 127 is warning about the folly of working too hard.  Tales abound from our local potash mine about those who hold firmly to this belief about the foolishness of hard work!  However, this psalm does not speak against hard work, rather it is warning us about allowing work to become how we try to give our life meaning!

     Psalm 127 is not about being lazy or about over working; it is about how to experience fullness in life through all that you do, including your work.  The Hebrews called this “Shalom” – peace, the absence of harm and the presence of tranquility with prosperity. 

     Key to understanding Psalm 127’s focus is the very first word “unless” and it is used twice in verse 1.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”  Unless what?  Unless you involve the Lord in your quest for shalom – fulfillment and peace, you will discover you are laboring in vain, whether constructing a house or defending a city. The phrase “in vain” appears twice in verse 1, and begins the second verse where it tells of someone working from first light ‘till night only “to eat the bread of painful labors” (NASB95) or “anxious toil” (ESV).  “In vain” is translated “useless” in other Bibles, meaning the activity is not producing their desired results.  Why do people build houses, protect their communities or toil to earn a living?  In the long run, it is a longing for peace and security – shalom in life.  Psalm 127 says people trying to find this peace without involving God in their lives are laboring in vain – they will not find what they are seeking.  However, v. 2b tells us that those whose hard work is grounded in their relationship with the Lord will not be left awake and anxious at night but will sleep peacefully.  They are confident the Lord knows what they need and rest in his shalom.  We are reminded of Jesus’ words to his disciples in Matthew 6:31–33 “31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT) 

          Verses 3-5 appear to change the subject from work to children, but in fact these verses illustrate the shalom that comes from giving God and his kingdom first priority in one’s life.   Eugene Peterson says of these verses: “In contrast to the anxious labor that builds cities and guards possessions, the psalm praises the effortless work of making children. Opposed to the strenuous efforts of persons who, in doubt of God’s providence and mistrust of man’s love, seek their own gain by godless struggles is the gift of children, born not through human effort, but through the miraculous processes of reproduction which God has created among us.  The example couldn’t have been better chosen.  What do we do to get sons?  Very little.  The entire miracle of procreation and reproduction required our participation, but hardly in the form of what we call our work.  We did not make these marvellous creatures that walk and talk and grow among us.  We participated in an act of love which was provided for us in the structure of God’s creation.^[1]

     The New American Commentary sees the mention of children in this passage as also showing hope for a future that intense labor cannot give.  Speaking of verses 4 & 5 it says: “In vv. 4–5a the image of the arrow is used to elucidate (explain) how children provide significance for the parent. For the ancient warrior the arrow was a primarily offensive weapon intended to be used against a long-range target, in contrast to weapons such as the sword or the spear that were used for short-range battle. Arrows are propelled by the strength and according to the aim of the archer. Similarly, children can extend the influence of a parent beyond what the parent can do personally.^[2]”

     Eugene Peterson adds this thought in reflecting on Psalm 127: Jesus leads us to understand the psalmist’s “son’s” in terms representative of all intimate and personal relationships.  He himself did not procreate children, yet by his love he made us all sons and daughters (Mt. 12:46-50)… By joining Jesus and the psalm we learn a way of work which does not acquire things or amass possessions but responds to God and develops relationships.  People are at the center of Christian work.^[3]

     For all of us, with or without children, Psalm 127 is a reminder to invest in people as our priority, not things – all the while focusing on following the Lord.  Remember the words of Deuteronomy 6, expressing our love for the Lord and his laws was to be part of our day from morning till night.  “Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:7 (NLT).  

     Remember, God is not opposed to hard work.  In the very first book of the Bible, Genesis we see God is at work.  He is at work in creation, redemption, compassion, comfort and salvation through Jesus Christ.  Our study of God’s Word is to understand Him and learn how we can work in the name of Jesus towards those things which he tells us will give life eternal meaning.

     The Apostle Paul reminds us that our “work” isn’t what saves us: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV).  However, because of the saving work of God within him, Paul worked to honour God with all his strength – not to earn grace, but because he had received God’s grace!  In 1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul writes: But God’s kindness made me what I am, and that kindness was not wasted on me. Instead, I worked harder than all the others. It was not I who did it, but God’s kindness was with me. (GW)

     God’s work within us makes all the difference! “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Psalm 127:1 (NIV). Who is constructing your house?  You or is the Lord guiding the direction of your life?  Is Jesus the Lord, the leader of your life?  Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.  Live for the Lord today, and make honouring Him through your work today and everyday your goal!

Hymn: #43  “Great is Thy faithfulness” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D6mqh_jLLI&list=PL6Cp-rbTHKx2bOPvPKE2r1avSehF1vN8Y&index=27)

Verse 1:  “Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Chorus: “Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Verse 2:  Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Verse 3:  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Songwriters: William M. Runyan, Thomas O Chisholm, Eric Allyn Schrotenboer  © Warner Chappell Music, Inc. For non-commercial use only.

Benediction: So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation ⌊of your faith⌋. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (GW)

^[1] Peterson, pp. 105-106 “A long obedience in the same direction. Discipleship in an instant society.”  Inter Varsity Press, 2000.

^[2] Estes, D. J. (2019). Psalms 73–150. (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (Vol. 13, p. 481). Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.

^[3] Peterson, p. 106 Ibid.

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Psalm 126.  “The God who restores.”

August 30, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “¹² Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” “¹⁴ Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.” “¹⁶ Let your work be seen by your servants, and your splendor by their children. ¹⁷ Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands— establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12, 14, 16–17 (CSB).

Song: “Give thanks with a grateful heart” (Instrumental) (Click on link to hear:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JENnvQiCpjI)

Verse – Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son. (repeat)

Chorus – And now let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich, because of what the Lord has done for us. (2x)

Verse –

Chorus – (3x)

Ending – Give thanks, give thanks

CCLI Song # 20285 Henry Smith © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Introduction:

     How do you deal with an impossible situation in your life?  I usually try everything I can think of and then resort to sharing my woes with others.  Some don’t want to hear about my problems.  Others try to encourage me by telling me of those who survived far worse, this rarely helps me.  A few wise counselors will hear me out and then say: “Now, can you tell me of a time when your life when you made it through a hopeless situation?”  While my answer to that question may not come immediately, it can begin a process of healthy reflection.

     Today we are looking in our Bibles at the seventh song of Ascents, Psalm 126.  Let me suggest that you imagine a setting where after listening to the details of a dire situation, a wise counselor has just asked the author of this psalm, “Can you tell me of a time when you survived a helpless situation?  How did you feel then?”  After getting a response the counselor then asks, “How does remembering that time make you feel about your current situation?  How are you going to respond to it in light of your past experience?”  Now let’s read Psalm 126:  “¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. ² Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” ³ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. ⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. ⁵ Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. ⁶ Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126 (NIV).

I.  Psalm 126 in its context:

     The psalm begins by recalling the nearly indescribable joy that was experienced when the Lord intervened on behalf on Zion.  We are not sure of the specific event in mind, although a likely setting is the return from Babylonian captivity. 

     Verse 1 is a picture of a 180 degree change of emotions.  That they said at first thought they must be dreaming, suggests their ability to return to Zion had been seen as impossible.

     Verse 2 describes the delight they experienced was expressed with uncontrolled laughter and songs belted out in joy!  This verse also celebrates that their return to Zion was recognized by the gentile nations as a great work of the Lord on their behalf. God received glory among the nations through this incredible act of mercy.

     Verse 3 brings the psalmist into the present, as he affirms God’s continued goodness, ³ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.  It’s important to see that the psalmist avoids the temptation to get stuck in the nostalgia of the past. Instead he uses God’s amazing work in the past to remind his listeners that the Lord continues to do great things for them now, and this gives them joy right now!

     Verse 4 – after placing his situation in the context of God’s caring, powerful hand, the psalmist presents his request – his prayer.  “Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.”  He uses the same phrase as in v. 1 “when the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion.”  In faith he is calling out to God for his restorative blessings once more.  The word picture he uses “like streams in the Negev” is a description of the renewing that water brings to the dry deserts of Israel’s south.  The NLT says “Restore our fortunes Lord, as streams renew the desert.”

     The first halves of verses 5 & 6 give us a glimpse of how desperate their situation was.  Usually sowing was a time of optimism and hope, for they were planting a crop which would provide food.  However, something was taking place that made sowing seem like such a hopeless cause that the farmer is bawling while sowing the seed.  Clearly the risks seemed much greater than the expected results.  One would have to conclude from these verses that although they sowed, a harvest was not expected and to actually be harvesting would have felt like they were in a dream!

     This psalm encourages them to not let their discouraging circumstances and the resulting tears stop them from doing the right thing.  They are to call out to God (v. 4) then use the resources they have to do what they can and leave the results to God.  Verses 5 & 6 promises that when this is done: the one who sobbed while sowing will be singing songs of praise and the weeper holding a bag of seed will become a rejoicing reaper holding an arm full of sheaves. 

     Verses 1-3 are likely describing the response to when the Persian king Cyrus II, after defeating Babylon, issued a decree restoring the Jews to their homeland.  It’s important to remember that Jeremiah had prophesied that this would happen. Many who followed him sowed tearful prayers to the Lord for that day to come and after 70 years, it did!

II.  An Application of Psalm 126 to us:

     With Covid-19 continuing to limit our interactions, we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty and this is causing frustration and anxiety for some of us.  As a church family it may feel like we are losing our connection with one another and our community.  This form of relational solitary confinement is wearying for many.  How are we to respond when it feels like there is nothing we can do?  Psalm 126 gives us a model to follow.  The ultimate Wise Counselor, the Holy Spirit of God reminds us to recall those times when God helped us through impossible situations.  Clearly the Lord was with us, and he hasn’t changed – he is still on our side.

     Psalm 126 calls us not to give up on today by remembering God’s amazing acts in the past and anticipating further blessings in the future.  The ultimate act of restoration that any of us can experience was accomplished through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.  Ephesians 2:1-2, 4-5 describes the transformation this way: “¹ Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. ² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”  “⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” (NLT).

     When you accept Jesus as your sin forgiver and follow him as the leader of your life, everything changes – you are free from sin’s prison!  Your relationship with the Lord has been restored and you have moved from death to life!

     Don’t let the tears from a current hardship stop you from sowing – from doing what you can, what you know you should for the Lord – sow even with tears.  I was reminded of what Jesus said and prayed shortly before his arrest and crucifixion:

“³⁴ He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” ³⁵ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. ³⁶ “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”” Mark 14:34–36 (NLT).  Jesus was tearful, crushed with grief, yet still wanting to see the Father’s will accomplished – he was sowing with tears to reap a harvest with joy.  Hebrews 12:2 tells us: “² We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (GW).

     Follow the Lord’s will, sow your life’s seed, even in times of tears, knowing that He will bring a harvest and one day you will be rejoicing with Him as that harvest comes in!

     Let me close with words from the Apostle Paul, who endured great suffering for following Christ Jesus and yet focused on the harvest to come:

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. (CEV)

          If you have accepted Jesus as you Savior and been forgiven of your sins, celebrate your freedom from captivity to sin.  If you haven’t made that decision yet, He is waiting in love for you, don’t delay any longer!

Hymn: “When God revealed his gracious name” by Isaac Watts (To tune of #76 “O for a thousand tongues” – here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vga38imC9Q)

1 – When God revealed his gracious name, and changed my mournful state, my raptures seemed a pleasing dream, the grace appeared so great.

2 – The world beheld the glorious change, and did thy hand confess; my tongue broke out in unknown strains, and sung surprising grace.

3 – The Lord can clear the darkest skies, can give us day for night; Make drops of sacred sorrow rise to rivers of delight.

4 – Let those who sow in sadness wait till the fair harvest come: They shall confess their sheaves are great, and shout the blessings home.

1 – When God revealed his gracious name, and changed my mournful state, my raptures seemed a pleasing dream, the grace appeared so great, my raptures seemed a pleasing dream, the grace appeared so great!

Benediction: “⁵⁷ Thank God that he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation ⌊of your faith⌋. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.” 1 Corinthians 15:57–58 (GW).

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Psalm 125.  “Secure in the Lord.”

August 23, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: Psalm 92:1–2. “How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord, to sing in your honour, O Most High God, to proclaim your constant love every morning and your faithfulness every night,” (GNB)

Opening song: “Great is Thy faithfulness” 

Verse 1 – Great is Thy faithfulness O God my Father. There is no shadow Of turning with Thee. Thou changest not Thy compassions they fail not, as Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Chorus – Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Verse 2 – Summer and winter and springtime and harvest. Sun moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness, to Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.

Chorus –

Verse 3 – Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

Chorus –

CCLI Song # 18723 Thomas Obediah Chisholm | William Marion Runyan © Words: Public Domain  Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

          Where do you look for your security?  Some people hope to receive security in their work.  Work is good, it was assigned to us by God from the very beginning (Gen. 2:15).  It can provide us with satisfaction and purpose when we see positive results, but it was not meant to replace God.  Some hope to get security through their relationships.  At our creation God encouraged marriage and family relationships, but they were not intended to replace an individual’s relationship with God.  People have looked for security in accumulating land, animals, businesses and money.  Today, stocks and bonds are classified as “securities” even though a dip in the stock market shows how insecure they ultimately are!

     Where can one find true security in a world where the strong take from the weak and the wicked take advantage of the righteous? Today as we look at Psalm 125, we’ll see that security is its primary focus.  In the Hebrew text, the word translated “trust” is the very first word of the psalm.  Psalm 125 describes those who trust in the Lord as “his people” (v2), “the righteous” (v 3), “those who are good… upright in heart” (v 4) and Israel (v5).  Those who trust in the Lord are contrasted with “the wicked” (v3), “those who turn to crooked ways” (v5a) and “evildoers” (v5b).  Let’s read the psalm:

Psalm 125 A song of ascents. ¹ Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. ² As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. ³ The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. ⁴ Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. ⁵ But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel. (NIV)

     The Psalmist in verse 1 clearly states where true security lies: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”  The writer uses the simile “like Mount Zion” to express the security available to us as we trust the Lord.  The NLT says “Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.” Psalm 125:1 (NLT). 

     Those who trust in the Lord can rest secure, they need not fear.  Is this true of you?  Have you asked the Lord to forgive you of your sin and accepted Jesus as the risen Son of God who died for your sins and in whom you put your trust as your sin forgiver and life leader?  If so, you are secure in his care!

     Imagine you were in a group of pilgrims, traveling to Jerusalem, and you have just crested the final hill and now you are looking down on the city and the surrounding area.  You see Jerusalem built on Mt. Zion, and surrounding it are higher hills.  To the east is the Mount of Olives – 66 meters higher, to the north, Mount Scopus – 76 meters higher, and to the west and south are other hills, all higher than Mount Zion.  So the city of Jerusalem is on a mountain which is encircled by other mountains giving it great natural defensives.  The writer in verse 2 uses another simile to remind us of the Lord’s encircling protection towards who trust Him.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.   

     We are secure because the Lord surrounds us, he is our fortress.  It is He protects us.  Our security is not based on our feelings, but on whom God is; and He keeps His promises!  The history of the nation of Israel is full of ups and downs.  Remember, just days after the victory of crossing through the Red Sea the Israelites want to return to Egypt.  Eugene Peterson writes: “All persons of faith I know are sinners, doubters, uneven performers.  We are secure not because we are sure of ourselves but because we trust that God is sure of us.” [1]  When you find yourself feeling helpless and struggling, remind yourself of God’s protecting care:  Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (NIV).  In John 17:11, 15 Jesus prayed for us: “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.”   “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (NIV)

     As we read verse three, it may have been that the psalmist needed to remind himself of the truth of verse two during a time when Israel was being dominated by foreign powers.  In spite of the immediate circumstances, he knew evil would not rule them forever: “The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.”

     The key word is “remain.”  Evil is not permanent, nothing counter to God’s justice has any eternity to it.  The Apostle Peter learned to trust God and grow through his trials and share this with the church: 1 Peter 1:3–7. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (NIV)

     Next, in verse 4 the psalmist demonstrates what to do when faced with a situation beyond our control or understanding:  He looks to God and prays!  ⁴ Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. ⁵ But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.  Peace be upon Israel.  When things are out of your control, remember who is in control and bring your concerns to Him. 

Philippians 4:6–7 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. (GW)

     Being a Christian is not like walking a tight rope.  Psalm 125 says it is like sitting in the middle of the fortified city of Jerusalem, secured by the Lord Himself.  There will be doubts, there will be ups and downs and slips, there will times when evil seems to reign, but remember, you are secure in the Lord.  The psalm ends with the words: Peace be upon Israel.  In the context this can be translated “Relax.”  We are secure.  God is in control and as we come to Him through Christ Jesus the Lord, we are secure.  Are you at peace regardless of the circumstances?  You can be if you surrendered your life to Jesus, don’t delay.  Christian, if you are struggling to find peace in your circumstances – stop focusing on the circumstances and look up – see that you are surrounded and held by the everlasting arms of almighty God – you ARE secure in HIM!

Closing Song: “I know who holds tomorrow” 

(This video was uploaded in 2017 by David Hill who writes: This is a home recording of my wife Melinda. She died two years ago after a nine-month battle with cancer. During her struggle she repeatedly said that her life was in God’s hands. Anything He allowed to happen to her was for her own good. So she chose to focus on the things for which she was thankful. I put this together in her memory. I hope it will bring comfort to all of us, for we don’t know what tomorrow may bring. But we can choose to know One who will be with us no matter what happens.)

Verse 1 – I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine for its skies may turn to gray. I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said, and today I’ll walk beside Him for He knows what is ahead.

Chorus – Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand, but I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.

Verse 2 – Ev’ry step is getting brighter As the golden stairs I climb. Ev’ry burden’s getting lighter ev’ry cloud is silver-lined. There the sun is always shining; there no tear will dim the eye, at the ending of the rainbow where the mountains touch the sky.

Chorus –

Verse 3 – I don’t know about tomorrow, it may bring me poverty; but the One who feeds the sparrow is the One who stands by me. And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood, But His presence goes before me and I’m covered with His blood.

Chorus –

CCLI Song # 17982 Ira Stanphill © 1950 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

Bonus Song: “He will hold me fast” 

Verse 1 – When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast. When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path, for my love is often cold, He must hold me fast.

Chorus – He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast. For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Verse 2 – Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast. Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast. He’ll not let my soul be lost, His Promises shall last. Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

Chorus –

Verse 3 – For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast. Justice has been satisfied, He will hold me fast. Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast. Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last.

Chorus –

CCLI Song # 7016161 Ada Ruth Habershon | Matthew Merker © 2013 Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Matthew Merker Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. CCLI Licence No. 1348394

[1] Eugene H. Peterson (p. 86),  A long obedience in the Same Direction.  1980, IVP

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Psalm 124.  “The Lord is on our side.”

August 16, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “¹ Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! ² Sing to God—worship God! Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea, ³ Take the news of his glory to the lost, News of his wonders to one and all! ⁴ For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;” Psalm 96:1–4 (The Message).

Song: Still, My Soul Be Still – Keith & Kristyn Getty. 

Verse 1 – Still my soul be still and do not fear, Though winds of change may rage tomorrow.  God is at your side no longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.

Chorus – God You are my God, And I will trust in You and not be shaken.  Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me, To rest in You alone.

Verse 2 – Still my soul be still do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows.  Hold on to His ways with shield of faith against temptation’s flaming arrows.

Verse 3 – Still my soul be still do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning.  Wait upon the Lord and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming.

CCLI Song # 5469284 Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend © 2008 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     Today we are looking at Psalm 124.  It is the fifth psalm of ascents, a group of 15 psalms, (120 – 134), which we believe were sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the three yearly festivals.

     It’s been suggested that these 15 psalms may form 5 sets of 3.  Generally the first psalm in the set is deals with some distress, followed by confidence in God and lastly, security in the Lord.^[1]  Remember these psalms were likely read in close succession, not a week apart as we are looking at them.  You may want to try reading these psalms in their groups of three.   As we’ve seen:

• Psalm 120 is a psalm of repentance “¹ I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” (NIV)
• Psalm 121 is a psalm of trust. “¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?” (NIV)
• Psalm 122 is a psalm of worship. “¹ I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” (NIV).
• Psalm 123 depicts the attentive service of those waiting upon the Lord for his mercy: ¹ I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. (NIV)

     Psalm 124 is a psalm of thanksgiving for God’s protection.  The annual festivals brought the 12 tribes together to celebrate they were one people under God.  This psalm reinforces that truth as they remembered and celebrated that had it not been for God’s faithfulness they wouldn’t still exist!  The history of Israel is full of the stories of God’s saving mercy: giving old Abraham an heir, preserving Jacob’s family through famine, liberation from years of slavery in Egypt, safe passage through the Red Sea, preserved for 40 years in the wilderness, the conquest of Jericho and the rest of the promised land. Also during the time of the kings great armies overran the land and threatened to destroy them.  Again and again, against all odds the Lord has preserved Israel as His convent people.  The nation could say with confidence God IS on our side! 

     Let’s read Psalm 124: “¹ What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: ² What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? ³ They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. ⁴ The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. ⁵ Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. ⁶ Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! ⁷ We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! ⁸ Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124 (NLT).

     Psalm 124 begins with a worship leader calling for the people of Israel to imagine what their lives would have been like if the Lord had not been on their side.  Verses 2 & 3 speak of being attacked by those with burning anger.  Verse 3 describes the enemy’s desire as that of a wild animal with a voracious appetite.  We see something similar in Jeremiah 51:34 where the destroyer of Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is pictured as a serpent that swallowed them up.

     Verses 4 & 5 draws on the image of a flash flood, to describe the destruction their enemies sought to bring on them.  Those living in Israel’s dry, hilly land with its many wadi’s (ravines) were familiar with sudden flooding as a result of thunder storms. 

     Verse 6 praises the Lord, for preventing the teeth of their vicious enemy from tearing them apart!  Verse 7 pictures Israel as completely helpless before their attackers, like a bird in a trap, until the Lord broke the trap, freeing them!

     Verse 8 concludes this psalm with a declaration of trust in the Lord who made heaven and earth.  As creator of all, the Lord can do all that is needed for his people!  He is on our side!

     It is important for us to notice that this Psalm isn’t claiming that the Lord kept difficulties away from them, look at verse 2: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?  They were attacked and feared for their very existence!  Their testimony is that they survived the worst and made it through, because it was the Lord who was on their side.  However, notice that this is not a psalm which focuses on the hazards, but rather on the help given.  The hazards are not the subject of this psalm, just the setting for this psalm. 

     Can you say the same thing about the “hazards” you have experienced in your life?  Sometimes we don’t like to reflect on our struggles and hardships, those times when we didn’t think we were going to make it.  Psalm 124 teaches us to review those hardships, while looking for the hand of God, for likely the situation could have been far worse.  What do you learn as you do that?

      Daniel Estes says: From Psalm 124 God’s people see that he uses yesterday’s troubles to build in them trust for today and tomorrow. They learn through the traumas of life that they can trust the Lord.^[2]

     Eugene Peterson says on this subject:  Faith develops out of the most difficult aspects of our existence, not the easiest.  The person of faith is not a person who has been born, luckily, with a good digestion and sunny disposition.  The assumption by outsiders that Christians are naive or protected is the opposite of truth: Christians know more about the deep struggles of life than others, more about the ugliness of sin.

     A look into the heavens can bring a breathtaking sense of wonder and majesty, and, if a person is a believer, a feeling of praise to the God who made heaven and earth.  The psalm looks the other direction.  It looks into the troubles of history, the anxiety of personal conflict and emotional trauma.  And it sees there the God who is on our side, God our help.  The close look…into the …terrors, the flood’s waters and the imprisoning trap, sees the action of God in deliverance.[3]

          The theme of Psalm 124 – Do not lose hope, God is on our side, remember what he has already done for us – is reflected in Romans 8:31-32 & 35-39, listen to it from The Message translation:  “³¹ So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? ³² If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?”  “³⁵ Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: ³⁶ They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. ³⁷ None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. ³⁸ I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, ³⁹ high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:31-32, 35–39 (The Message).

     Praise God – the Lord is on our side – can anything that comes against us ultimately succeed with the Lord at our side?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Isn’t that great news?  Doesn’t that change how you see the enemy’s attack?  The devil means to discourage and destroy you – the Lord allows him to try, because he knows as you trust in him, the trials will instead develop and strengthen your faith.  What the enemy means for evil, God uses for our good!

     Let me close this encouraging message with a sobering question.  What would it be like to face the things you have gone through without the Lord?  I’ve been with Christians who have been going through some of life’s worst experiences, and in the midst of their grief, they pause and say, I don’t know how anyone could go through this without the Lord?   The sad truth is people all around us are going through life without the Lord, without his comfort and guidance.  What can be done to help them?  That’s why we Christians are still here, and are going through life’s struggles alongside them.  Not only do our trials give opportunity for our faith to develop, they make us living examples of God’s faithfulness!!! 

     When the Lord gives us a point of connection with someone, possibly around a similar experience, we can share about the difference having a relationship with the Lord made in our life.  I remember seeing this happen in Japan.  Many churches there are small, Christians few, and I struggled with why the Lord would allow some wonderful Christian women to struggle with terminal cancer?  I stopped asking why, when after their deaths, others came to be baptized – some also with cancer, because of the Christian testimony of these ladies!  How did you survive?  The Lord was on my side!  Don’t be shy to share the Good News of what the Lord has done and is doing in your life!

Closing: “Today Tomorrow & Forever” – Sanctus Real – 

Verse 1 – Through every trial, through every circumstance, still Your mercy covers me.  Through every battle, I don’t have to understand, still I lift my voice and sing

Chorus – Today, tomorrow, and forever I will live for You. Today, tomorrow, and forever I will worship You.

Verse 2 – You have been faithful, You have been kind to me, You hold my future in Your hands.  When the world is shaking, the ground beneath my feet, You’re the solid rock on which I stand.

Bridge – I’ll worship You on the mountain and in the valley.  I’ll worship You in the calm and in the storm

Ending – Today, tomorrow, and forever I will worship You.  Oh I will worship You.  Jesus I worship You.

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Benediction: ^“10 The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” 1 Peter 5:10-11 (The Message).

Check for new sermon podcasts each Sunday at: Podbeam 

Psalm 123.  “Living as a servant of the Lord.”

August 9, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship: “¹ I will sing forever about the evidence of your mercy, O Lord. I will tell about your faithfulness to every generation. ² I said, “Your mercy will last forever. Your faithfulness stands firm in the heavens.”” Psalm 89:1–2 (GW).

Song: Make me a servant 

Make me a servant humble and meek.  Lord let me lift up those who are weak, and may the prayer of my heart always be: Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today.

CCLI Song # 33131 Kelly Willard © 1982 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Willing Heart Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     We are continuing our look at Psalms 120-134, the Songs of Ascents. Today we are looking at Psalm 123.  Let me begin by reading it:

Psalm 123.  A song of ascents. ¹ I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. ² As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. ³ Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. ⁴ We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant. (NIV)

     What do you do when something is not working properly or breaks down?  Most of us will look for help by calling the service department.  If the power is out here in a Saskatchewan neighbourhood, the people might gather on the street and ask if anyone called SaskPower on their cell phone? Yea, well, where are they?  When are they going to get here? What kind of service is this?  Our town of Esterhazy currently has very hard water and it is brutal on plumbing, especially hot water tanks – ours seem to barely last five years! When the hot water stops working or the tank starts leaking, you want a plumber right away; and the plumbers in our town give great service when we call!

     I tell you all this to ask this question.  Do we sometimes carry this attitude of expecting to be served into our relationship with God?  Do we treat God like a spiritual Mr. Fix-it whom we call to repair things using the “911 prayer line”?  If you look at your prayer requests lately, it may look like a “to do” list for God to come to your aid!  

     It seems at first glance that this is what Psalm 123 is saying as well – “Lord, I’ve got a problem, fix it.  We’re all overwhelmed with contempt; we can’t handle it any more – fix it!”  Yet, could it be that with our twenty first century perspective we have reversed the roles?  This psalm may not be about God serving us after all!  Let’s take another look.  ¹ I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. ² As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. ³ Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. ⁴ We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant. Psalm 123 (NIV)

     The word ‘eyes’ is used four times in these first two verses.  What are the eyes looking at?  Their focus is on the hand of the master, the hand of the mistress and on the Lord.  The setting is that of offering service – the attentiveness of a slave and a servant to those they serve.  Although the word service isn’t used, this is a psalm which teaches us about service.  Like many of the psalms, the instruction is not through description, but by demonstration.  When I got a job at a printing plant, it began with me spending the day with the fellow whose job I would be taking over, he was moving to another position.  That day I learned what to do, by watching & learning from him, rather than reading a manual.  Psalm 123 is like that, we learn about service as we ‘watch’ the psalmist.

     First notice the posture of service.  God is not our servant, nor is he our equal.  Service to God begins with our upward look to God as we acknowledge that he is worthy of our service: “¹ I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.  ² As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God”. The writer is not speaking of God as being distant and far away when he looks up to heaven, rather he speaks to God giving him honor.  The posture of a servant is to look up to God, in order to honor and worship Him.  

     In this psalm I learn that God is my Lord and He is to be the focus of my attention. This is what is to be learned from the example of the slaves and the mistress. My service to God is not about me being noticed or what I will get out of it; it is about obeying the Lord and honoring him.  Jesus taught us to pray with this same God centred attention: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hollow be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9.

     The second element in our service has to do with expectations.  We have lifted our eyes to God in heaven; does that mean he is distant?  Verse two closes with the phrase “so our eyes look to the Lord our God.” The Lord is in heaven, yet we know he cares, for he is “the Lord our God.”  Although there is much about God that is beyond our comprehension, that doesn’t mean that God is unknowable to us.  As Christians we know that God wants good for us; for in grace, he does not punish us according to what we deserve.  Three times in this psalm there is the plea for mercy.  We know that mercy is something that God the Father is willing to give to us as we come to him through Jesus the Son.

     Eugene Peterson says: The word mercy means that the upward look to God in the heavens does not expect God to stay in the heavens, but to come down, to enter our condition, to accomplish the vast enterprise of redemption, to fashion, in us, his eternal salvation. [1]

     We serve a God who loves us and in mercy is working in us to shape us into the character of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  As we look to God in faith we receive what we need: mercy.

     A third element in service is urgency.  The psalmist calls on the Lord for mercy because: “…we have endured much contempt. ⁴ We have endured much ridicule…”  The NASB says: ³ Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us, For we are greatly filled with contempt. ⁴ Our soul is greatly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud. Psalm 123:3–4 (NAS).  The Hebrew word we translate as “endured” or “greatly filled” contains the idea of something being saturated or filled to the brim.  The psalmist is saying that they have had it with contempt & ridicule and are calling out to God believing they will receive mercy.

      The psalmist lived at a time when the position of slave and servant were institutionalized.  It was how the world ran at that time.  In our day we no longer have institutionalized slavery.  Freedom is essential to us!  We must be free live where we want and do what we want, when we want to do it!  However, do you find that people are happy?  NO, we remain habitual complainers!  The weather is lousy; the government is worse; I don’t have enough money; I don’t have enough time; I can’t be myself, others are telling me how to live.  So how have we responded to our unhappiness?  We look for relief & escape – people are addicted to alcohol & drugs (I just need to relax or I need more energy); to compulsive work habits (I want to feel better about myself) and to obsessive consumption (More things will make me happy).  Do you realize what has happened?  We are not free! We are still enslaved, we have only traded masters! 

     Peterson says: “The Christian is a person who recognizes that our real problem is not in achieving freedom but in learning service under a better master.  The Christian realizes that every relationship that excludes God becomes oppressive.  Recognizing and realizing that, we urgently want to live under the mastery of God… ‘Speak Lord, for thy servant hears.’”[2]

     The final element of service we will look at today is that it is Sensible Service.  This psalm concentrates on our being a servant of God yet doesn’t mention the serving of others.  Does that mean it can be excluded?  A great place to answer that question is to look at the book of Romans chapters 12 -16 which begins in chap. 12:1 of the New International Translation with the words: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)

The Message translation says: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 (The Message).

The Contemporary English Version says it this way:  Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. Romans 12:1 (CEV)

     Paul urges us to offer our bodies as our worship offering to God or as the CEV says, this whole life worship is “the most sensible way to serve God.” This is in keeping with the psalm’s emphasis on actual service, not just intention or desire. 

     Going back to Romans, in the verses & chapters which follow 12:1 it becomes clear that presenting ourselves to God as living sacrifices occurs as we use the gifts He has given us to serve others. In other words, this is the sensible way to serve God!

     If you are still trying to decide if this idea of servanthood really needs to have a place in your life as a Christian, let me remind you of the words and example of Jesus. 

Matthew 20:27–28. “and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (NLT)

Luke 22:27. “Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” (NLT)

Philippians 2:5–7a. “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (NLT)

John 13:4–5, 12–17. “So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”  “After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” (NLT)

• Servanthood begins with an upward look to God – It is not about me, but about my God.
• Servanthood looks to God in faith expecting, knowing that in mercy He hears us.
• Servanthood involves urgency, knowing that the Lord is our only hope and the only one we want to serve.
• Finally servanthood is sensible service, done in our day to day living.  We serve our God as we follow the example of our Lord Jesus.

Closing songs: #1 – Here’s a different “Make me a servant” song that was written for children, but it speaks to all of us – 

Verse 1 – Make me a servant, humble and kind, giving to others, not keeping what’s mine.  You, God of Heaven came wrapped as a babe; you lived in humility and showed me the way.  

Chorus – Make me a servant, Jesus, like you, help me show humility in all that I do.  It’s not about living just to please me, but it’s about giving as I have received!

Ending – Yes, it’s about giving as I have received!

“³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NIV).

#2 – Servant Song: 

Verse 1 – What do you want of me, Lord?  Where do you want me to serve you?  Where can I sing your praises?  I am your song.

Chorus – Jesus, Jesus, you are the Lord.  Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.

Verse 2 – I hear you call my name, Lord, and I am moved within me.  Your Spirit stirs my deepest self.  Sing your songs in me.

Verse 3 – Above, below, and around me.  Before, behind and all through me, your Spirit burns deep within me.  Fire my life with your love.

Verse 4- You are the light in my darkness.  You are my strength when I’m weary.  You give me sight when I’m blinded.  Come see for me.

Verse 5 – I am your song and servant, Singing your praises like Mary.  Surrendered to your spirit, let it be done to me!

Chorus 2 – Jesus, Jesus, let it be done to me!  Jesus, Jesus, you are the way.
Written by Sr. Marie Mcgargill

Benediction: The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (TNIV)

This is the beginning of a new series from The songs of Ascents, Psalms 120-134.
Check for our sermon podcasts at: Podbeam

Psalm 120.  “Our journey back to God.”

July 19, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church. 

Call to Worship:  “What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?” “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:6, 8 (CSB).

Song: Be still and know 

Verse 1 – Be still and know that I am God (3x)

Verse 2 – I am the Lord that healeth thee  (3x)

Verse 3 – In Thee O Lord I put my trust  (3x)

Verse 4 – Be still and know that I am God (3x)

CCLI Song # 583265 Lee Herrington | Tom Fettke © Words: 1992 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.) Music: 1986 Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights eserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

     We are going to spend some time in the book of Psalms, which is the hymn book of the Bible, specifically with a collection of psalms known as “The songs of ascents” found in chapters 120 to 134. 

     We are not certain why these songs, written by different authors with a variety of themes were placed together.  Some feel “a song of ascents” referred to the tune or style of music.  I am following a common view that these songs were collected into a ‘chorus book’ to be sung by the pilgrims on their way up to one of the three great annual festivals held in Jerusalem. 

     In the spring, there was the Feast of Passover as the people remembered God how saved them from slavery in Egypt.  Early summer fifty days later was the Feast of Pentecost where they renewed their commitments as God’s covenant people.  In the fall, they celebrated God’s harvest blessings during the Feast of Tabernacles. At that time they built shelters and remembered they had once been a wandering people without a country until God led them to this land he had promised to their forefathers.

     Psalm 120, is the first of 15 Psalms of Ascents (120-134).  We aren’t certain who wrote it.  Some feel it was written by King David as he lamented the time Doeg the Edomite, told King Saul that the priest Ahimelech had helped David escape, leading to the slaughter of 85 priests and their families.  Other commentators say that this psalm comes from the opposition Nehemiah experienced as he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile.  Although determining the author of this psalm is difficult, what is clear is that the emotion it expresses crosses the centuries into our own.  Let’s read it. 

Psalm 120 A song of ascents.

“¹ I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. ² Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. ³ What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? ⁴ He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. ⁵ Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! ⁶ Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. ⁷ I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (NIV).

     At first glance Psalm 120 is surprising since it was clearly written as a very personal psalm. Yet, it was later seen as the perfect song to behind this special collection. It’s not the hymn that many of us would choose to begin our journey to Jerusalem, yet we will see that it is a song that really needs to be sung first on our journey back to God.  A good question to ask ourselves is:

How do we humans begin our journey to God?

• Have you ever thought about that? 
• What led you to God? 
• What brought you to the point where you were willing to begin the journey to approach Him? 

     What is it that motivated the Psalmist?  Look at the 1^st verse:  “¹I call on the LORD in my distress” – Does that sound familiar?  Often it is the times our distress that causes us to give up on our own efforts and instead call to the Lord for help. 

What is the psalmist experiencing? (vv. 2-7)

“² Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. ³ What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? ⁴ He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.” Psalm 120:2–4 (NIV).

     He is struggling with those who say one thing and do something else, then deny making their promise. This is hurtful in a personal relationship, but in a business or community connection lying lips and deceitful tongues can be financially devastating and life threatening!  Who can you trust to confide in?  The wisdom on the street says to survive you have to respond in kind, but is that who I want to be?  In verses 3 & 4 the psalmist remembers that God will punish these sins “in kind”. Ps. 64:3 & Prov. 25:18 describe the words of the wicked as being as devastating as lethal arrows.  Wood from the broom tree makes high grade charcoal – Prov. 16:27 & James 3:6 describe evil words as deadly fire.

     The psalmist may not want to join in the evil practices, but he sees it all around him!  ⁵ Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!  ⁶ Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. ⁷ I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 120:5–7 (NIV).

     It seems his circumstances have finally become too much for him and he’s beginning to see them for what they are!  Meshech is the name of a far-off tribe along the Black Sea in southern Russia and Kedar is an Arabian Desert tribe.  Apparently, both of these tribes had reputations for being barbaric.  Today we might paraphrase these thoughts by saying: I live among hoodlums and thugs!   

     By now it is becoming apparent why this psalm, with such a personal message, speaks to each one of us.  This life I thought would give satisfaction has left me emptier than ever.  Often it is moments such as this that cause us to cry out to God for help when we realize how low we have sunk.  The distress that begins and ends this psalm comes from a realization that we have been lied to.  We are told:

–   Human beings are basically good.

–   The world is a pleasant place.

–   We are born free, and if we are in chains now, it is someone else’s fault, and we can correct that with just a little more intelligence, a little more effort and a little more time.

     Yet, from birth we have been taught to compete, to demand our rights and no one seems to know how to live in healthy relationships.  The whole world seems restless, looking for a fight.  Even so, we still believe the lie that things will get better.  A cure will be discovered, the economy will improve, the right book will be written to help you…  But what do we do when things don’t get better?  We complain, resentment builds up, anger takes root and violence erupts.  Why?  Because we have believed the lie that what we are experiencing is unnatural and not how things should be! Advice is all around us: Change your circumstances to change your life! Change your job, move away, or go on holidays!

     What the Psalmist discovers in Psalm 120, is that the first step towards God, is a step away from the world and the lies which point to solutions which exclude God.  Saying NO to the world’s lie and YES to God’s truth is described in biblical terms by the word repentance. Repentance is the beginning of our journey to God.  It is the point where we cry out to God for help and say: “I’ve had it with the world and its lies and empty promises.  Lord God, I need you.  Help me.”

     Eugene Peterson in his book “A long obedience” says this about repentance:

     Repentance is not an emotion.  It is not feeling sorry for your sins.  It is a decision.  It is deciding that you have been wrong in supposing that you could manage your own life and be your own god; it is deciding that you were wrong in thinking that you had, or could get, the strength, education and training to make it one your own; it is deciding that you have been told a pack of lies about yourself and your neighbours and your world.  And it is deciding that God in Jesus Christ is telling you to trust.  Repentance is a realization that what God wants from you and what you want from God are not going to be achieved by doing the same old things, or thinking the same old thoughts.  Repentance is a decision to follow Jesus Christ and become his pilgrim in the path of peace.[1]  

     This is where the Christian life begins, with an admission of our total need for God’s help.  We to be saved from this world, we need a Saviour!  The good news if that He is here and He is Christ the Lord.  How about you?  Have you finally gotten to the point where you will give up on the world and its promises of short-cuts and easy answers to life?  Are you willing to say NO to the world and the lie that you can make it without God?  The sooner you do (and no one knows how much longer we have), the sooner you can begin the pilgrimage to God and with God. 

     The journey to God begins with a moment of clarity, of coming to your senses when you realize that where you find yourself is a place of death, not life!  Verse one says: “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” Psalm 120:1 (NIV).  This is how the journey to God begins – call on the Lord and he will answer you!

Closing song: “Just as I am” 

Verse 1 – Just as I am without one plea but that Thy Blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God I come I come!

Verse 2 – Just as I am and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee Whose Blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God I come I come!

Verse 3 – Just as I am though tossed about with many a conflict many a doubt, fightings and fears within without, O Lamb of God I come I come!

Verse 4 – Just as I am Thou wilt receive wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve; Because Thy Promise I believe, O Lamb of God I come I come!

CCLI Song # 23206 Charlotte Elliott | William Batchelder Bradbury © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17 

For sermon podcasts: Esterhazy Baptist Church Podcasts

2 Samuel 11-12.  “Sin – the illusion of self-sufficiency.”

July 12, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Opening Hymn: I Stand Amazed (My Saviour’s Love)

Verse 1 – I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned unclean.

Chorus – How marvelous how wonderful!  And my song shall ever be: How marvelous how wonderful is my Saviour’s love for me.

Verse 2 – For me it was in the garden He prayed not My will but Thine, He had no tears for His own griefs, But sweat drops of blood for mine.

Verse 3 – He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone.

Verse 4 – When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see, ‘Twill be my joy though the ages to sing of His love for me.

CCLI Song # 25297 Charles Hutchinson Gabriel © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Call to Worship: “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” Psalm 89:8, 15 (NIV).

     Today we turn our attention to 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12.  King David has now come to the place where many of us in 21 century North America “live.”  Life is predictable and pleasant.  I can pretty well “run” the day to day things all by myself!  For David the thorny problem of the Ammonite uprising is being handled by general Joab.  Last year their mercenary allies were defeated (2 Sam. 10), this year their country has been taken and their capital city Rabbah is under siege.  Their defeat is just a matter of time (2 Sam. 11:1).  Like most kings, David’s presence isn’t required until the city is about to fall, he should be busy with other things. 

     Yet David allows himself just a little liberty, after all, he is the King!  Just a little peak from the roof top.  Just a few minutes watching.  Just want to know her name.  Just a friendly meeting.  Just one night together.  David allowed himself to be enticed by temptation, which leads to sin, which leads (as we shall sadly see) to death!   

     David gave into the temptation we all face – to let down our guard for a moment and “just let yourself be king of your life for a day.”  But you say, “David was king, he could literally do whatever he wanted, when he wanted, couldn’t he?”  Well, yes, but no!  As a king David’s word was law.  However, as Israel’s king, David was in a covenant relationship with Israel’s true ruler, the Lord God.  David and his subjects had agreed to live under the terms of the covenant made long before under Moses & Joshua.  But now, just for an evening, David is ignoring the commands of God and living to please himself – what harm can come from that?

     A number of weeks after coveting another man’s wife (breaking the tenth commandment – Ex. 20:17) and committing adultery (breaking the seventh commandment – Ex. 20:14), David gets a brief message from Bathsheba, the women he slept with – I’m pregnant!  David is now faced with a choice.  He must own up to his sin of adultery with the wife of one of his top officers. Uriah the Hittite is included in the list of David’s thirty chief men (2 Sam. 23:39) and so is Bathsheba’s father, Eliam (2 Sam. 23:34) whom also happens to be the son of David’s top advisor Ahithophel (2 Sam. 17:23)! Oh my, there must be a less embarrassing option?  Instead of owning up to his sin, David’s solution is simple; bring Uriah back for a report.  While he’s here he’ll sleep with his wife, everyone will assume he’s the father; and this will be all behind me!  However, Uriah turned out to be a more honourable man than his king. He refused to be with his wife while is brothers in arms were apart from their wives.  David’s simple solution had failed.  It won’t be long before Bathsheba’s pregnancy becomes obvious and the truth will come out, so David writes a letter for Uriah.  However, this letter is not a confession of David’s sin to Uriah; it is a letter to be given to commander Joab ordering him to put Uriah in a situation where the Ammonites will kill him in battle!  The general follows his king’s orders and Uriah and others died while battling at the gate of a city they have locked down under siege – a needless waste!

     David’s little sin of lust has grown to murder (breaking the sixth commandment – Ex. 20:13)!  Does David finally confess?  No, there’s still a bit more to his cover-up.  After the widow Bathsheba has completed the expected days of mourning, the “benevolent” King David takes her into his own home to care for her!  Now, this mess is taken care of his life can get back to ‘normal’.  This is what we read in 2 Samuel 11:26–27. “When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son.”  But there is one more sentence in this last verse of chapter 11.  It reads: “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” (NIV)

     Chapter 12 begins with the words: “The Lord sent Nathan to David.”  We met Nathan the prophet in chapter 7.  Nathan tells David a story of a greedy, self-centred man who takes and eats a poor man’s pet lamb rather than use one from his own flock.  David as a former shepherd is outraged at such heartless cruelty.  As David passes judgment on the rich man, Nathan, beginning in verse 7, reveals to David that: “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.” 2 Samuel 12:7b–9 (NIV) The Lord knows everything that David has done!

     Remember, this isn’t happening the day after David slept with Bathsheba or the week after Uriah’s death.  A baby has been conceived and born – it has been at least nine months that David has been hiding this sin!  It is the Lord who confronts David through sending Nathan.  David has refused to own up to his sin and now in the King’s court the truth AND GOD’S Judgment come out for everyone present to hear!  God doesn’t do this to embarrass, he knows sin grows in the shadows; it must be exposed and judged.

     Nathan now begins to give God’s judgment on David: 2 Samuel 12:10. “Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’” (NIV).  Sin shows contempt for God’s Word (v. 9) and for God (v. 10)!  Do not treat sin lightly!  There is no sin that is “not a big deal” for the sinner is despising God and His Word!

     The Lord’s judgment continues in the following verses and David confesses that he has sinned against the Lord – and offers no excuses.  He is told the Lord has taken away his sin and he will not face death, but his new born son will die.

2 Samuel 12:11–14. ““This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ”   “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”” (NIV)

     2^nd Samuel chapter 12 closes with David defeating the Ammonites.  Then chapters 13-20 tell us one story after another of strife within David’s kingdom as a direct result of strife within David’s household!  These events have been included in the bible to teach us how terrible, deadly and far reaching the effects of sin is!   

     Here’s a lesson someone learned as a child:  During my early childhood I had a fiery temper which often caused me to say or do unkind things.  One day, after an argument had sent one of my playmates home in tears, my father told me that for each thoughtless, mean thing I did he would drive a nail into our gatepost. Each time I did a kindness or a good deed, one nail would be withdrawn.

     Months passed. Each time I entered our gate, I was reminded of the reasons for those ever-increasing nails, until finally, getting them out became a challenge.

     At last the wished-for day arrived—only one more nail! As my father withdrew it I danced around proudly exclaiming, “See, Daddy, the nails are all gone.”  Father gazed intently at the post as he thoughtfully replied, “Yes, the nails are gone—but the scars remain.” ^[1]  David had been forgiven – Psalms 32 & 51 tell of David’s experience, but the scars remained – on his family and on his country.

What can I do about the temptation to sin?

     Temptations to sin are all around me, is there really anything can I do?  Well, that depends…on you – how serious are you about not giving into sin?  If you are serious about living a God honouring life then you will start by admitting the problem starts within me.  James 1:14–15. “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (NLT)  This should lead you to realize you need God’s help.  Jesus also faced temptations, but he did not sin (Heb. 4:14-16) – go to him for your help.  Ask Jesus to be your sin forgiver and follow him as your life leader. 

     1 Corinthians 10:3 tells us that temptation is something we all experience, but that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.  More good news is that he will always provide a way for us to endure it – so watch for it. 1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (NIV)

     Jesus taught us ask God the Father in prayer to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (MT. 6:13).  When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness he taught us by example how to resist temptation (MT. 4:1-11).  We must know God’s Word and put serving and honouring him above all else!  The devil offered Jesus the freedom to look after his own needs, receive the acclaim of people and rule the nations; all for only bending the knee to him.  Jesus refuses by reminding himself of what God’s Word says about each area of temptation.  Prepare yourself to be tempted!  Develop and grow your relationship with God.  Spend time with him in prayer and reflecting on his Word.  Use your Bible concordance and prepare yourself with verses from the bible on those areas you know you can be enticed, such as: pride, greed, lust of the flesh, envy, gossip, jealousy…  Ephesians 6:10–13. “Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” (CEV)

     Finally, stay away from bad influences.  The old joke still has a lot of wisdom: Doctor, I broke my arm in two places – Well, stay away from those places!  Don’t choose to put yourself in situations or with people where you know you will be tempted, think ahead.  Proverbs 4:14–15. “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.” (NIV).  Proverbs 3:5–8. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.” (NLT)

Closing Hymn: “Grace Greater than our sin”

Verse 1 – Marvellous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!  Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Chorus – Grace, grace God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.  Grace, grace God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Verse 2 – Dark is the stain that we cannot hide, what can avail to wash it away.  Look there is flowing a crimson tide, Whiter than snow you may be today.

Verse 3 – Marvellous infinite matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe!  All who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive?

CCLI Song # 31690 Daniel Brink Towner | Julia Harriette Johnston © Words: Public Domain

Music: Public Domain  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17. (CSB)

Bonus song – Cochren & Co. –  Who Can? 

Intro – Who, who, who can love me like you do?

I can be prone to wander. Too full of pride sometimes. Don’t make it easy to love this heart of mine. I can get so distracted, Caught up in doubt and fear, but every time I think you’ve left me, You’re still right here.

Chrous – Who, who, who can love me like you do? I’m a mess, I confess, but you carry me through. Who who who can calm my weary soul?  When I’m lost and alone Thank God that I know, Who can.

Only you can hold my head up Only you can set me free Only you can break the grip that sin had on me. And I know I don’t deserve it, But that’s why you call it grace. You covered a debt that I could never repay.

Chrous

Bridge – Even when I’m hard to hold you stay faithful You’ll never let me go.  Even on my darkest day you light my way.  Forever I will say. Only you only you can.

Chorus

Written by Michael Cochren, Bryan Fowler and Christopher Stevens (C) 2020 Maison de Emack / Michael Cochren Music Company (ASCAP) / Relwof (SESAC) / So Essential Tunes (SESAC) / Hot Mess Music International / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

^[1]Tan, Paul Lee. #4971 The Scars Remain in Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979

For sermon podcasts: Esterhazy Baptist Church Podcasts

2 Samuel 7 – Overwhelmed by Grace.  July 5, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Call to Worship:  “You know me, Master GOD, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are—out of your very heart!—but you’ve let me in on it. This is what makes you so great, Master GOD! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears.” 2 Samuel 7:21–22, (The Message).

Song: “Your grace still amazes me” 

Verse 1 – My faithful Father enduring Friend, Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end.  It overwhelms me covers my sin.  Each time I come into Your presence I stand in wonder once again.

Chorus – Your grace still amazes me.  Your love is still a mystery.  Each day I fall on my knees, ‘Cause Your grace still amazes me.  Your grace still amazes me.

Verse 2 – O patient Saviour You make me whole.  You are the Author and the Healer of my soul.  What can I give You, Lord what can I say?  I know there’s no way to repay You, only to offer You my praise.

Bridge – It’s deeper, it’s wider, it’s stronger it’s higher.  It’s deeper, it’s wider, it’s stronger it’s higher.  Than anything my eyes can see.

CCLI Song # 3262500 Connie Harrington | Shawn Craig © 2001 Ariose Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) PraiseSong Press (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Little Cricket Music (Admin. by Words & Music, a Division of Big Deal Music, LLC) Remaining portion is unaffiliated. For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.   CCLI Licence No. 1348394

      When Saul is rejected by God as Israel’s king for refusing to submit to God’s instructions, God indicates the heart of the individual he will choose as the next king is what is important.  

1 Samuel 13:14. “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”” (NIV)

1 Samuel 16:7. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” (NIV)

     In 1 & 2 Samuel as we follow David, the one chosen by God to replace Saul, we catch glimpses of his heart for God:  As a young man willing to fight the warrior Goliath, believing the Lord God will enable him to defeat the Philistine; and later as a man on the run, yet still seeking God’s direction in his decisions.  Certainly David is not flawless, as his first attempt at moving the Ark of the Lord in 2 Samuel 6 demonstrated, however, he doesn’t give up, learns from his ignorance and succeeds in moving the Ark to Jerusalem.

I.       Another glimpse of David’s heart (vv. 1-3).

     2 Samuel chapter 7 is a continuation of David’s desire to honour the Lord as Israel’s true ruler.  The achievement of peace mentioned in 7:1 come as a result of battles recorded in upcoming chapters (8, 10-12), yet the writer of 2 Samuel wants us to see chapters 6 & 7 as closely linked.  Peace has come upon the land and David is no longer sleeping in tents, yet the Ark of the Covenant, representing the Lord God still is!  Israel’s true ruler deserves better than a tent, and David, in reverence is moved to do something about it!  David consults with a prophet of the Lord, Nathan and is given the ok.  However, that night, the Lord gives Nathan a message to take back to David.

II.      The Lord’s answer to David (vv. 4-17).

1.  David is reminded who is really in charge! (vv. 5-7)

2 Samuel 7:5–7. ““Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ’” (NIV)

     As the Lord tells David he hasn’t required or asked for a house of cedar, he also reminds David that he has been active among HIS people, nonetheless.  Israel’s previous rulers were leading under the Lord command, as HIS shepherds! 

2.  David is reminded who has been directing his life! (vv. 8-11a)

2 Samuel 7:8–11a. ““Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.” (NIV)

     The Lord next reminds David that he has been guiding him from the pasture to peace in the palace and will continue to make his name great.  The Lord is also granting peace and a home for his people Israel to live in safety.

3.  The revealing of God’s plans for David (vv. 11b-16)

2 Samuel 7:11b–16. “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”” (NIV)

     In the Hebrew the word house “beth” (as in Bethlehem – house of bread or Bethel – house of God) has two meanings.  It can mean a physical building or it can refer to people, family or descendants.  In these verses the Lord uses this word play to tell David that he is going to build a house (dynasty) for him, and that David’s son would be the one to build a house (temple) for the Lord.

     The Lord’s words that David’s house and kingdom will endure forever before him continued to stir in the hearts of the psalmists and prophets who pointed to God’s promised Messiah (Isa 9:7; 16:5; Jer 23:5–6; 33:15–16).  The Gospels tell us that Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary is the promised one.  Matthew 1:1. “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (NIV)

Luke 1:30–33. “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”” (NIV)

III.    David’s response (vv. 18-29).

     Upon hearing God’s answer to his plan, David goes and sits before the Lord in humble reflection.

1. Who am I?  (vv. 18-24)

2 Samuel 7:18–24. “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human! “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.” (NIV)

     When you spend a life time becoming who you are, it is good to stop and reflect.  David realizes that his journey from the pasture to the palace is all because of God; it’s all been a gift from him.  And to think that there are yet even greater gifts to come – David is left virtually speechless!  All he can do is praise God – there is no one like you – notice he uses the phrase “Sovereign Lord” seven times in the NIV. 

2. Yes Lord, do it!  (vv. 25-29)

2 Samuel 7:25–29. ““And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight. “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”” (NIV)

     David closes his time with the Lord by agreeing with the Lord and declaring that his will be accomplished – Yes Lord, do it!

3. He prepared for the building of the temple (1 Chron. 22-26, 28:1-29:20) 

     There is a final response of David which is recorded in 1 Chronicles, chapters 22-26 and 28 & 29.  David wasn’t to build a temple for the Lord; that was for his son to do.  However, that didn’t stop David from doing everything in his power to assist in the preparations.  Treasures from military conquests were dedicated to the Lord (2 Sam. 8:9-12) and David gave from his personal wealth and also encouraged his leaders to do the same (1 Chron. 29).  David developed details plans for the temple & its fixtures (1 Chron. 28) and organized the Levites & priests for service in the temple (1 Chron. 23-26) to avoid tragedies as happened earlier with Uzzah.

IV.    Lessons for us.

1. Who am I?

     Have you accepted God’s offer of his son Jesus as your sin forgiver and life leader?  If you have, he has changed your life FOREVER!  In humility sit before your God and reflect on the priceless gift of salvation that has been extended to you through the Son of David, Jesus the Christ.  Thank God for his guiding hand on your life from birth to right now.  Marvel that the Lord has saved you, not only for this time on earth, but promises you will be with him in eternity!  Who am I?

2. Yes Lord, do it!

     Live a life aware of God at work in and around you.  God does not live in a house of stone, rather he dwells within his people by his Spirit (Jn. 4:21-24).  He is building you and I into a spiritual house to the praise of his glory (1 Cor. 3:9).  We are the church; be the church of Christ to your family, friends, neighbours and community.

3. Live with a focus on God’s plans.

     David planned for and gave to the temple, even while knowing he wouldn’t live to see it built.  Are we willing to support or dream for those things which God can use in the lives of those we may never meet?

     Let me close with some thoughts from the Preacher’s Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:  David’s spirit is revealed in the fact that he was willing to lay foundations on which others would ultimately have the privilege of building. The world has too many people who won’t plant trees unless they are going to be around to eat the apples. The church needs more people who are planning and praying with the future needs of the church in mind. There are many things we would like to do and can’t, but all of us can be a part of laying the foundations for the future of our children.

      The Scripture indicates that God blesses not just the things we do but the things we would like to do. God blesses our intentions. When the temple had been built and the ark was being brought to its new home, Solomon made a speech in which he told how God had blessed his father David because it was in his heart “to [build] a house for My name” (1 Kings 8:18). This is an early reminder that God’s interest is not just in our actions but in the interests of our hearts. The kingdom needs scores of people who fill their minds with things they would like to do for God.^[1] 

     Live your life with a focus on seeing God’s plans come closer to fulfillment, rather than living just for yourself.  Like David, you will find yourself overwhelmed by the grace of your loving Lord!

Song: Who am I? 

Verse 1 – Who am I that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt?  Who am I that the Bright and Morning Star would choose to light the way for my ever wand’ring heart?

Pre-Chorus – Not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done.  Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are.

Chorus – I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.  Still You hear me when I’m calling, Lord You catch me when I’m falling, and You’ve told me who I am.  I am Yours.

Verse 2 – Who am I that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love and watch me rise again?  Who am I that the voice that calmed the sea would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me?

CCLI Song # 4196651  Mark Hall  © 2003 My Refuge Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)  Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.   CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction:  “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.” Psalm 72:18–19 (NIV).

For podcasts of the sermons go to: Podbeam

2 Samuel 6:1-15.  “Doing God’s work God’s way.”

June 28, 2020.  Esterhazy Baptist Church. 

Call to Worship:  “I am the high and holy God, who lives for ever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.” Isaiah 57:15. (GNB) 

Song: “You Are My All In All.” {Music link – 

Verse 1– You are my strength, When I am weak, You are the treasure That I seek, You are my all in all.  Seeking You as a precious jew’l, Lord to give up I’d be a fool, You are my all in all.

Chorus – Jesus Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name.  Jesus Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name.

Verse 2– Taking my sin, My cross my shame, rising again I bless Your name, You are my all in all.  When I fall down You pick me up, when I am dry You fill my cup, You are my all in all.

CCLI Song # 825356 Dennis Jernigan. © 1991 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc. (Admin. by PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc.)  For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  all rights reserved.  CCLI Licence No. 1348394

We are continuing our look at main characters in the books of Samuel, focusing on David in 2^nd Samuel chapter 6.  In chapter 5 David was anointed King by the elders of Israel (v. 5).  David’s next step is to conquer the Jebusite fortress of Zion and which he renamed Jerusalem. Jerusalem, situated along the border between Judea & Benjamin, but belonging to neither tribe would serve as his new capital to unite the country.

When the Philistines learn that David is trying to unite Israel based out of Jerusalem, they come up the Rephaim Valley southwest of Jerusalem to attack him.  David consults the Lord and with His help, overwhelms the Philistines in two major battles (1 Sam. 5:17-25). 

After defeating the Philistines, David decides to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.  The Ark was a wooden box covered with gold inside & out, made during the time of Moses according to God’s instructions.  Inside the Ark were the two stone tablets inscribed with the 10 commandments that Israel agreed to follow as they made their covenant with the Lord God.  On its lid were two cherubim, angelic beings with their wings spread out over it.  The Ark was considered God’s throne on earth and the Lord’s presence would appear over it.

1 Chronicles 13:1 tells us David consulted with his military leaders, and then suggested to the rest of the country that the Ark of God be moved to Jerusalem.  David then brought together 30,000 men to join him in escorting the Ark from Baalah of Judah to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1). 

The Ark was being moved to Jerusalem with great celebration – there was singing, music, dancing and great praise. This all stopped when the Ox pulling the new cart which held the Ark stumbled.  As the Ark shifted, one of the men guiding the cart, Uzzah, reached out to steady it and when he touched it, he died (2 Sam. 6:6-7).   David became both angry and afraid of the Lord and decided to take Ark no further.  It was brought to the home of Obed-Edom, a Levite and left in his care. 

Three months later after reports that the keeper of the Ark was being blessed by its presence, David feels it is safe to try to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.  This time it is moved without incident.  What changed?  This time the Ark was carried by Levites rather than placed on a cart and pulled by an ox!  What’s the difference?  The difference is this is how God had instructed that the Ark be moved in the first place (Numbers 3:29,31; 7:8-9)!

The first time the Ark of God had ever been on a cart was after the Philistines had captured the Ark in battle.  After they began to get sick, in fear they sent it back to Israel on a cart hoping the illness would stop (1 Samuel chapter 4 – 6).

The Ark had been designed specifically to be carried.  It had rings on the side where carrying poles were placed, and it was to be transported on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites (Numbers 4:4-20).  It was covered from sight and only the priests could to touch it as they were preparing it for transport (Ex. 25:14-15; Num. 3:30-31; 4:15; 7:9).  There is no record of King Saul visiting the Ark, and it seems people forgot how to treat it.

The book of 1 Chronicles chapters 13 & 15 also has the account of David moving of the Ark of God. In 1 Chronicles 15:13, David states what they had done wrong: “It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” (NIV)

What David was trying to do was good.  He wanted The Lord God to rule in the new capital city of the country.  He himself wanted to be close to God, and he wanted his people to join him in worship of God.  This was a great desire.

God created all of us with what has been called a “God shaped vacuum,” which only he can fill. This realization that there is someone beyond us has lead millions of people to satisfy their spiritual emptiness through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Reflecting on who God is and what he has done for us, should lead us to want to express our thanks to him.  This response to his amazing love and grace can and should be expressed in specific actions and our life goals. 

What can we learn from this event in 2 Samuel 6?

1.  Enthusiasm + ignorance = leads to death.

David wanted to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, but it seems no one thought to check if there were specific instructions as to how the Ark was to be moved. However, God had told his people how the Ark was to be treated specifically to avoid such tragedies; ignorance of those facts was no excuse!  This suggests not only had the Ark been neglected, but so had God’s Word (The Pentateuch – the first five books of the Bible Moses complied). May this serve as a word of caution to us not to ignore God’s Word!  Enthusiasm plus ignorance leads to death. Proverbs 19:2 confirms this.  It says: “Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.” (NLT)

People may be passionate about seeking God, but if they search in ignorance, they are still lost and still in trouble. Don’t ignore God’s Word!  Christian, as powerful as the urge to “just do something” might be, never act without consulting with the Lord.  Remember, He is already at work all around us, and he is waiting for us to be willing to join him in what he is doing.

What is the answer?

2.  Enthusiasm + knowledge = leads to joy.

David saw what happens when you don’t do things God’s way, even if done in ignorance.  He had been so focused on the end goal, getting the Ark to Jerusalem that he rushed and didn’t check with God.

When David was informed by God’s Word, he could plan and organize with certainty, knowing what God required, and this brought great joy.  The journey to Jerusalem then became an opportunity to praise God!  Following God’s way makes all the difference!

God has explained in His Word how we can live a life that pleases Him, beginning with putting our faith in His Son, Jesus as our sin forgiver and life leader.  Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (NLT)

Don’t let your focus on the ‘end goal’ blind you to the importance of the process involved in getting there.  How we do what we are called to do is important, because WE represent the Lord God Almighty.  It is not only the task or the destination which is important to God, but how we accomplish the task or reach our destination.  As we strive for the goal of the upward calling, to reach heaven, the Lord wants us to learn and to represent Him well, all along the way!

Let me leave you with some important questions to ask yourself:

-1-  Do I know God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ?  Is he my sin forgiver and life leader?  This is a step you dare not skip or rush for the sake of your eternal soul! Where do you stand with God?

-2-  Am I doing God’s work?  If I am one of his people, I belong to him.  Am I representing him?  Am I going about my day conscious that I want to service Him or am I focused on doing my own thing?  How am I serving him?

-3-  Am I doing God’s work God’s way?  Am I doing what He called me to do, the way He wants me to do it? 

Sometimes we find it easier to give God our money than ourselves and our time.  With people, some of us would rather leave a tract than take the time to listen and share.  In those times, send out a silent prayer – “Lord, what is Your plan for this moment?”

Although it wasn’t required, David decided that every time the Levites had taken six steps, a sacrifice would be offered to God.  This meant the whole way to Jerusalem became a time of thanking God for his mercy and grace!  Don’t let yourself become so busy doing things for God that you don’t take time to praise and thank him for who he is what he is doing! 

Are you using your daily journey with the Lord as an opportunity to worship him?  Praise him with your whole life, for your whole life!  Because of what Jesus has done for us as our sin forgiver and life leader we can now come into God’s presence without fear!  Ephesians 3:10–12. “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” (NLT)

Hymn: “Take my life and let it be” {Music link: 

Verse 1 – Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee.  Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love, at the impulse of Thy love.

Verse 2 – Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.  Take my voice and let me sing, always only for my King, always only for my King.

Verse 3 – Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.  Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold, not a mite would I withhold.

Verse 4 – Take my love my Lord I pour, at Thy feet its treasure store.  Take myself and I will be ever only all for Thee, ever only all for Thee.

Verse 5 – Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee.  Take myself and I will be ever only all for Thee, ever only all for Thee.  

Ending – Take myself and I will be ever only all for Thee, ever only all for Thee.  

CCLI Song # 1390  Frances Ridley Havergal | Henri Abraham Cesar Malan  © Words: Public Domain

Music: Public Domain   For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use.  All rights reserved.   CCLI Licence No. 1348394

Benediction: “All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:5–6 (NLT).

For sermon podcasts:  

“David’s Lament.” 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27.  July 1, 2018.  Esterhazy Baptist Church.

Main characters in the books of Samuel: David about to become king. 

Call to Worship:  “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14, 16 NIV)